A Kent County (Del.) Family Court judge has ordered that NASCAR driver Kurt Busch "stay away from his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll," according to a court order cited by Jon Offredo of the Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL. The civil order is good until '16 and "says Busch has to stay 100 yards away from Driscoll, her home and workplace." He also has to "maintain the maximum 'practicable' distance from her" at NASCAR races and "not attempt to contact her." Busch and his attorney "plan to appeal the judge's order" (Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL, 2/17). In N.Y., Viv Bernstein notes Busch is also "awaiting a decision from the Delaware district attorney’s office on whether he will be charged with domestic assault." Busch "has denied the charge." But the order issued yesterday said Busch "committed an act or repeated acts of domestic violence." It also "required him to be evaluated for mental health issues, including anger management" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/17). In L.A., Jim Peltz noted Busch's team, Stewart-Haas Racing, recently said that it "has a contingency plan in place should Busch be unable to continue driving his No. 41 Chevrolet," but the team has not provided details on that plan (LATIMES.com, 2/16).
ENGINE IDLING: NASCAR in a statement yesterday said it would "await the full findings of the Commissioner and any actions by the Attorney General of Delaware related to the allegations against Busch" before taking any action. The organization reiterated in the statement that it "understands the gravity of the charges" (USA TODAY, 2/17). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour asks, "So what other facts do NASCAR and SHR need? ... Perhaps a video leaked by TMZ so the good folks at NASCAR can be assured she's telling the truth." Armour: "Times have changed, and NASCAR needs to acknowledge that. Suspending Busch would be a good way to start" (USA TODAY, 2/17).
