NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch Two Days Before Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – NASCAR suspended Kurt Busch on Friday, just two days before the Daytona 500, hours after a Delaware judge said the former champion committed an act of domestic violence against an ex-girlfriend and there was a "substantial likelihood" of him doing it again.
In a 25-page opinion Friday explaining why he issued a no-contact order, the judge said it was more likely than not that Busch "strangled" Patricia Driscoll in his motorhome at Dover International Speedway in September and smashed her head into a wall.
Busch has denied the alleged assault. He becomes the first driver suspended by NASCAR for domestic violence.
Busch will not race Sunday in the Daytona 500 no matter the outcome of the suspended driver’s appeal with NASCAR.
Regan Smith will drive the No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Smith drove Tony Stewart’s No. 14 car last season at Watkins Glen after Stewart’s short-track accident resulted in the death of fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr. Smith, who has one Cup victory, also filled in two races in 2012 while Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovered from a concussion.
SHR said it would make a decision on future races after Daytona.
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