Kurt Busch Pulled From Events Leading Up To Season Finale
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Black Flag: HMS Cancels
Unveiling Of Kurt Busch Banner |
Homestead-Miami Speedway (HMS) officials announced that defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Kurt Busch, who was suspended for the final two races of the season by Roush Racing after being cited for reckless driving, “will not participate in events leading up to Sunday’s Ford 400,” according to Sarah Rothschild of the MIAMI HERALD. HMS Dir of PR Phil de Montmollin said that the unveiling of Busch’s ‘04 Nextel Cup championship banner scheduled for today has been cancelled. Rothschild notes the banner “currently is on display, but Homestead had scheduled to formally honor Busch.” Also, fellow Roush Racing driver Greg Biffle will replace Busch at a Q&A session during the “All-Star Welcome to Ford Championship Week” tonight. Busch has also been pulled from Thursday’s Ford Racefest. HMS President Curtis Gray said that plans “are underway to determine who will take down the current champion’s flag” at Sunday’s race (MIAMI HERALD, 11/15).
MILLER: With Busch moving to Penske Racing South’s No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge next season, Miller Brewing said in a statement, “We’ve spoken with Kurt and we’re confident he truly understands the significance of his behavior, particularly regarding the fact we cannot and will not tolerate any behavior that demonstrates a lack of responsibility in the consumption of alcohol. We’re going to stand by Kurt, but we made it clear to him that we expect him to also stand by us by demonstrating behavior befitting a true champion.” Meanwhile, NASCAR VP/Corporate Communications Jim Hunter said that Busch’s incident “will not reopen the debate about liquor sponsorship” in NASCAR (N.Y. TIMES, 11/15). Diageo’s Crown Royal served as primary sponsor of Busch’s No. 97 Ford for several races this season (THE DAILY).
SOBERING NEWS: Lt. Paul Chagolla of the Maricopa County (AZ) Sheriff’s Office said that Busch blew a .017 on his preliminary breath test, under the legal limit in Arizona of .08. Deputies also attempted to administer an official blood-alcohol test, but the machine malfunctioned (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/15). But Roush Racing President Geoff Smith said, “Regardless of whatever level of (alcohol) presence was there while driving, we have some very strict sponsorship rules in place. We feel very strongly that those rules have been significantly breached” (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/15).
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