Kurt Busch Reinstated
Current NASCAR
NASCAR jumped the starting line on this one, for sure. No charge and to my knowledge no evidence floating about...such as video, etc.
Forum Activity for @devin
Kurt Busch Reinstated
Current NASCAR
Per Nick Bromberg:
Kurt Busch was reinstated by NASCAR on Wednesday, will race this weekend at Phoenix and is eligible for the Chase.
As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Buschs return to full status as a NASCAR member, Steve ODonnell, NASCAR executive vice president, said in a statement. We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return.
We have made it very clear to Kurt Busch our expectations for him moving forward, which includes participation in a treatment program and full compliance with all judicial requirements as a result of his off-track behavior.
Busch was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Friday, Feb. 20, after the release of a decision following the grant of a protection order against his ex-girlfriend. In the decision, a Delaware county commissioner wrote it was more likely than not that Busch committed an act of domestic abuse against Patricia Driscoll on Friday, Sept. 26.
However, the Delaware attorney general announced last week that Busch wouldn't face criminal charges, saying there was insufficient evidence.
Following his reinstatement, Busch's team Stewart Haas Racing announced he will be in the No. 41 car for this weekend's race at Phoenix International Raceway.
"We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR's process for reinstatement," SHR executive vice president Joe Custer said in a statement. "He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team. With his reinstatement and the conclusion by the Delaware Attorney General to not file charges, our focus is on the future."
Busch's suspension covered three races. Drivers are required to attempt to qualify for each NASCAR race to be eligible for the Chase. However, NASCAR holds the right to grant a waiver for drivers to be eligible for the Chase and has previously done so with Brian Vickers and Tony Stewart. This is the first time NASCAR has used the waiver with a suspension and possibly creates a curious precedent of allowing drivers to violate NASCAR's rules enough for a suspension while still granting them postseason eligibility.
Chase eligibility for Busch doesn't seem like that much of a stretch either, provided he wins a race. To make the Chase, a driver must win a race and be in the top 30 in points or have enough points to fill the remaining Chase positions assuming there aren't 16 drivers with wins.
While Busch won't likely be able to accomplish the latter requirement, a win would do a lot to get him in the Chase. Last year's 30th-place driver, David Gilliland, averaged less than 16 points per race. On that standard, Busch would need to average a 25th-place finish to get in to the top 30 of the points standings by Richmond in September.
updated by @devin: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
A Wonderful Day in Daytona
Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing
Sounds like you hada wonderful time, Alex. Thank you for sharing the day with us in words and in photos!
Awesome!
Patsy Thompkins-Keisler
-RacersReunion® OUTREACH
If you can andwould like to help, here isa link for more info as well asa fund to assist Patsy. There will be a Memorial Tribute at Fayetteville Speedway: http://www.gofundme.com/mvatz8
We are very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers continue to be with you in the coming days.
Patsy Thompkins-Keisler
-RacersReunion® OUTREACH
Thoughts and prayers go out to Patsy, her son Tony and family this morning.
My understanding is that her son, Tony is in the hospital on life support. I do not know any details but I wanted to mention it here with the hope that our collective thoughts and prayers will help the healing process.
updated by @devin: 12/03/16 07:52:14PM
Bopper's Big Break? Power to the People? $$$? Will He Still Get to Daytona?
General
Funny, I just mentioned the same thing to someone else!
There is a very happy person in Shallotte tonight, one of three winners. Glad it was N.C. if it couldn't be S.C. Congratulations to the winners.