Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Feb. 21, 2015
A Delaware family court found Kurt Busch to be guilty of domestic violence "By a preponderance of the evidence" against his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll. The court has now issued a protective order.
The Abuse Allegations - In early November of last year, an investigation was started against NASCAR driver Kurt Busch on allegations of domestic assault.
The Dover Police Department said in a statement that an "investigation is being conducted based on an allegation of domestic assault that is alleged to have occurred in the City of Dover involving Mr. Busch."
Mr. Busch’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, called the accusation a "complete fabrication."
The Outcome - The disposition was released yesterday afternoon by Kent County commissioner David Jones:
Quote:
"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, thereby recklessly placing (Driscoll) in reasonable fear of physical injury." |
NASCAR Responds Quickly and Harshly
With the final verdict in hand, Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR Executive VP and Chief Racing Development Officer, made a statement 40 minutes after the decision was announced.
NASCAR in an official release stated that it has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release the supplemental disposition regarding the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.
Busch, driver of the No. 41 car, was found to be in violation of the following “rules”:
- Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
- Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty
With the results now being made public from 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.
Mr. Busch was scheduled to drive in this weekend’s Daytona 500 with a first prize of at least $1,000,000 USD. In addition, his main sponsor, Chevrolet, has cut all ties and any sponsorship with him.
Steve O'Donnell also stated that Busch has the right to appeal and that the process would be expedited. Late last night, a NASCAR spokesperson confirmed that Busch is contesting the ruling with the expedited appeal set for noon ET today. I am waiting for the results of that appeal.
Stewart-Haas, Busch’s team sponsor, said in a release they have replaced Busch with Smith, in the No. 41 Chevy regardless of the outcome of the appeal.
Hypocrisy?
Mooresville, N.C. - In October of 2013, Sprint Cup driver Travis Kvapil was arrested and charged with assault on a female and false imprisonment.
Police arrested Kvapil following a domestic dispute with his wife after receiving a 911 call.
Kvapil, 37, was booked and jailed overnight after being accused of pulling his wife by her hair into the bedroom and striking her in the head. After a district court appearance and posting bail, he was freed the following day.
Following his arrest, Kvapil said that he was ashamed and embarrassed, though he was not suspended from BK Racing or NASCAR.
In an unusual twist of fate, BK Racing was supporting Domestic Violence Awareness Month and tweeted a photo of decals on its cars just prior to the incident. That tweet was deleted very soon afterwards.
At the trial, Travis Kvapil plead guilty to the charges as part of an agreement that will dismiss the case after he completes two years of probation (at least one year of supervised probation) and 72 hours of community service. He must also attend an anger management class. The probation stipulates that he can travel out of the state for work purposes as long as he gives notice to his probation officer.
Kvapil was not suspended by NASCAR and earlier this month was picked up by team owner Jay Robinson. At Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway last night, Travis finished 15th.
As a PR friend of mine stated last night, “NASCAR can't have it both ways.”
NASCAR and Domestic Violence. A Two Way Street
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