Kurt Busch reinstated by NASCAR following suspension
Wednesday 11 March 2015 22:17, UK
NASCAR has reinstated Kurt Busch following the driver’s suspension.
The decision comes six days after the Delaware Attorney General's Office declined to press criminal charges in a domestic abuse case involving Busch’s former girlfriend.
"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR executive vice-president.
"We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation."
Patricia Driscoll, 37, said Busch, 36, grabbed her by the neck inside his motor home at Dover International Speedway in Delaware on September 26 and slammed her head against a wall three times.
Kent County Court Commissioner David Jones ruled last month in favour of Driscoll's request for a no-contact order, saying Busch had likely physically abused Driscoll.
The ruling prompted NASCAR to suspend Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup champion, and forced him to miss the Daytona 500.
However, officials in Delaware said last Thursday that they would not file criminal charges in the case.
"It means the world to me, to be back in the car," said Busch. "It's been a tough situation the last few months.
"I have gone through this with confidence knowing that I know the truth and that I never did any of the things that I was accused of. It was a complete fabrication."
