Dover, DE (SportsNetwork.com) – The Dover (Del.) Police Department confirmed
on Friday that it is investigating an allegation of domestic assault involving
NASCAR driver Kurt Busch.
In a statement, the police department said the allegations were brought to
its attention on Wednesday, November 5th, at 2:00 p.m. (ET). The department
also noted that it is “still investigating the victim’s claims and will not
have any further comment on this matter in order to preserve the integrity of
the case.”
Busch’s ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, told the Associated Press that the
allegations involved an incident inside his motorhome at a race. NASCAR
competed at Dover International Speedway the last weekend in September.
NASCAR issued a statement on the investigation.
“NASCAR is aware of the investigation involving driver Kurt Busch,” NASCAR
senior vice president and chief communications officer Brett Jewkes said in
the statement. “We recognize the seriousness of this matter and are actively
gathering information from all parties, including law enforcement authorities
and Stewart-Haas Racing. It would be inappropriate for NASCAR to comment
further on this matter until we have more information.”
Busch, the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion, is in his first season as driver
of the No. 41 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. He was one of the 16 drivers
who qualified for the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship but was eliminated
from title contention after the first round, the Challenger Round.
“This is an allegation Stewart-Haas Racing takes very seriously, but we’re
still gathering all of the facts and are not in a position to comment in
greater detail,” Officials from Stewart-Haas Racing said in a statement.
The Sprint Cup Series is competing at Phoenix International Raceway this
weekend. It is the elimination race in the Eliminator Round of the Chase.
