NSCS: Kurt Busch under investigation after allegations of domestic assault

The Dover Police Department released a statement on Friday, November 7th stating that Kurt Busch is being investigated after an allegation of domestic assault.

“The Dover Police Department can confirm 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,” the statement reads. “These allegations were brought to the Dover Police Department on Wednesday, November 5th at 2:00PM. At this time, the department is still investigating the victim’s claims and will not have any further comment on this matter in order to preserve the integrity of the case. The Dover Police Department will release further information as it becomes available. We appreciate the public’s and media’s patience in this matter and are confident that the department is taking the proper investigative steps to ensure the case is resolved appropriately.”

Per the Associated Press, Busch’s ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll said the incident took place between the pair in their motorhome at Dover International Speedway. The pair traded words back and forth, with police documents stating that Busch was “verbally abusive to her and said he wished he had a gun so that he could kill himself”. Allegedly, Busch also called her names and accused her of having spies watching him, before grabbing her and smashing her head against the wall. Driscoll says in the documents that she left the motorcoach afterwards, going to a nearby bus to put an ice pakc on her head and neck with the incident causing her severe pain, difficult breathing and bruising on her neck.

She then broke up with Busch the following week, before filing a court document on November 5th. She asked for Busch to be told to stay away from her, while also undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and be evaluated by a certified domestic violence treatment agency.

Rusty Hardin, Busch’s attorney, released a statement, saying the allegations are completely fabricated.

“The Dover Police Department has been informed that Mr. Busch will fully cooperate with their investigation and he expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light,” the statement said. “This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect. At this time we intend to have no further comment in the media out of respect for the Dover Police Department’s desire to conduct a thorough investigation without a media circus.”

After becoming aware of the allegations, both NASCAR and Stewart-Haas Racing released separate statements this afternoon

“NASCAR is aware of the investigation involving driver Kurt Busch,” Brett Jewkes, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer, released in a statement on behalf of NASCAR. “We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities and Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment further on this matter until we have more information.”

This is an allegation Stewart-Haas Racing takes very seriously, but we’re still gathering all of the facts and are not in a position to comment in greater detail,” SHR spokesman Mike Arning said.

Busch was a sportsperson for the Armed Forces Foundation, a foundation that Busch’s ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll works closely with. Pat LaFrida, the co-chairman on the board of directors for the foundation, said that they fully extend their support to Driscoll, and have suspended their association with Busch.

About the Author

Ashley McCubbin

Joining OnPitRoad.com mid-2013 season, Ashley McCubbin is now the Managing Editor and contributes to each racing division as needed. Since studying journalism at the University of Guelph-Humber, Ashley has published articles on a couple of different websites, while serving as a public relations representative for different short track teams. Born in North York, Ontario, Ashley currently lives in Bradford, Ontario and spends her weekend at the local short tracks in the area. She has spent her entire life at the short track level, falling in love with the sport at the age of five. Beyond her love of short track racing, she also has grown an interest for both NASCAR and the IndyCar Racing Series. She also enjoys taking photos and working on websites, while playing a couple rounds of Candy Crush afterwards.

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