Rollercoaster Month for NASCAR Driver Kurt Busch: Generally Up the Past Week

Kurt Busch 2015 Budweiser Duel by Carey Spencer

     Kurt Busch rises the past week after a steady stream of recent difficulties.  Those difficulties stem primarily from a September 26, 2014 meeting between Busch and his then girlfriend Patricia Driscoll resulting in allegations by Driscoll that she was domestically abused.  Afterwards, Driscoll filed a motion for a protective order that was granted by a Kent County (Del.) Family Court.  On February 20^th, two days before this year’s Great American Race (the Daytona 500), NASCAR indefinitely suspended Busch from NASCAR activities after the Family Court Commissioner provided findings for granting the Protective Order.  Busch appealed the Commissioner’s Order, but as of March 17^th, the Commissioner has denied reopening the matter.  Busch also appealed NASCAR’s suspension.  His appeals were denied, but after an announcement on March 5^th by the Delaware AG’s office that it would not pursue criminal charges against Busch, NASCAR reinstated Busch on March 11, 2015.   Busch remains on probation with NASCAR, but will be allowed to race and compete to qualify for the Chase. 

     Last Sunday, Busch raced in the CampingWorld.com 500 at Phoenix International Raceway finishing 5^th.  More good news followed earlier this week when it was announced that Busch, who was raised in Las Vegas, will be inducted into the 2015 Class of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame on June 19, 2015.  Earlier today, at practice for this weekend’s Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway Fontana, California, Busch recorded the top speed (186.741 mph) of the day in his Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 SHR Chevrolet.  Qualifying starts at 4:50 pm PST and I’ll add another post after qualifying to update everyone on Busch’s day. 

 

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