NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch just days before the Daytona 500. The suspension was announced hours after a Delaware judge ruled the former champion committed an act of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll.
The judge granted Driscoll's request for a protective order after ruling Busch had smashed Driscoll's head against his motor home wall last September.
NASCAR soon after issued the indefinite suspension, stating Busch had violated Sections 12.1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12.8 (Behavioral Penalty)of the NASCAR rules.
Busch's appeal of the suspension took place at Noon Eastern time on Saturday. Stewart-Haas Racing has announced that Regan Smith will take Busch's place in the #41 Haas Automation Chevy for the Daytona 500.
Smith has a history as an interim driver with Stewart-Haas. He subbed for Tony Stewart in the #14 car last August at Watkins Glen.
Jeff Gordon, who has announced that this will be his last year driving full-time on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit, has the pole position for the 57th running of the Daytona 500. The green flag is expected to drop at 12:30 Dallas time.
