NASCAR suspends Kurt Busch indefinitely; will appeal

Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after a family court concluded he committed domestic violence against a former girlfriend.

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him. Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

The suspension, means Busch will miss the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

Stewart-Haas Racing executive vice president Joe Custer released a statement regarding the matter.

We understand NASCAR’s position regarding Kurt Busch and accept their decision. We are in the midst of finalizing our plans for the Daytona 500 and we will announce those details as soon as we’re ready.

Busch's attorney Rusty Hardin said he will appeal the decision.

We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal," Hardin said in a statement. "We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.

The court decision, made public Friday, also opens the possibility of criminal charges laid against the former Sprint Cup champion.

Busch was found to have hit Patricia Driscoll's head against a wall in his motor home at Dover International Speedway on Sept. 26, according to a decision by Kent County (Del.) Commissioner David Jones.

"The Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that, on September 26, 2014, Respondent (Busch) committed an act of domestic violence against Petitioner (Driscoll) by manually strangling her by placing his left hand on her throat, while placing his right hand on her chin and face and smashing her head into the wall of his motor home," wrote Jones.

Jones's decision requires the 36-year-old to meet with a mental health professional.

NASCAR officials had previously said they would wait for Jones's decision as well as whether or not the Delaware attorney general's office would press charges before it takes action against Busch.

The decision comes after the court previously issued a non-contact order against Busch in favor of Driscoll.

Jones questioned Busch's version of the incident in his ruling. Busch had claimed Driscoll entered his motor home after the couple had broken up, but that he never harmed her.

"(Busch's) version of the events is implausible, does not make sense and is unlikely to be true given the totality of the other evidence admitted at trial," said Jones.

Busch has requested Jones to reconsider the ruling.