NASCAR yesterday announced that it has lifted driver Kurt Busch's suspension for an "alleged domestic violence incident after three races and granted him a waiver to remain eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup," according to Jeff Gluck of USA TODAY. Busch will "return to the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 41 car this weekend" at Phoenix Int'l Raceway. NASCAR Exec VP & Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O'Donnell in a statement said, "The elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member." Gluck notes Busch had "formally accepted NASCAR's terms to be eligible for reinstatement at the end of February." NASCAR VP/Integrated Marketing Communications David Higdon said that the agreement "laid out the guidelines Busch must follow in order for NASCAR to consider lifting his suspension." NASCAR added that those terms, "laid out by an outside behavioral health expert, have been met." Busch's path to a return "was paved when the Delaware Attorney General's office announced March 5 that criminal charges would not be filed against Busch stemming from the assault complaint filed by his ex-girlfriend last November." Meanwhile, Chevrolet, which had "also suspended its personal services agreement with Busch, announced it has resumed its relationship with the driver." Chevrolet VP/Performance Vehicles & Motorsports Jim Campbell said, "We have lifted our suspension and will continue to monitor the situation" (USA TODAY, 3/12).
CHANGING HIS WAYS? Busch yesterday said that he will "replace his longtime nickname 'The Outlaw' with his signature above the door of his car." Busch's ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll in a statement said, "I'm deeply concerned about the message NASCAR is sending by letting him compete for the championship." The AP's Jenna Fryer noted Busch "did not reveal what he did to satisfy NASCAR, but indicated he wished he had participated in such a program earlier in his career." He also said that he had "been encouraged" by NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France, who "urged him not to change as a driver" (AP, 3/11). Busch said, "I've 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." O'Donnell added that Busch will "continue with a treatment program." O'Donnell: "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" (ESPN.com, 3/11).
TAKING THE HIGH ROAD: In Ft. Worth, Drew Davison notes Busch "could have been justifiably peeved by what now appears to be a premature decision by NASCAR to suspend him." He "could have gone off," but he "didn't in a conference call with reporters" yesterday. Busch: "I understand why NASCAR needed to take the action that it did. This is a very serious issue" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/12). ESPN.com's Ryan McGee wrote, "I hope I'm wrong about Kurt Busch. I hope that this comeback, merely the latest in a list of returns from stock car racing exile, is different than all the others" (ESPN.com, 3/11).
