Kurt Busch under investigation for domestic assault

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.

Driscoll serves as president of the Armed Forces Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the members of the United States Armed Forces, both active duty and retired.

The AFF said it is ending its association with Busch, who had served as a spokesman and ambassador for the organization.

“I want to, first and foremost, express the direct support from the Board of Directors of the Armed Forces Foundation to Ms. Driscoll,” AFF chairman of the board Pat LaFrieda said in a statement. “For more than a decade, Ms. Driscoll has been a tireless worker and advocate for our nation’s service members, veterans, and military families. The Foundation will continue working to support service members, veterans, and military families and we ask that Ms. Driscoll’s privacy be respected.

“Given the serious nature of the allegations, the Foundation has suspended its association with Mr. Busch.”

Busch’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, said on Friday that Busch will fully cooperate with the Dover Police Department in its investigation. Hardin also noted that Busch “expects to be vindicated when the entire truth of the situation comes to light.”

“This allegation is a complete fabrication by a woman who has refused to accept the end of a relationship, and Mr. Busch vehemently denies her allegations in every respect,” Hardin said in a statement. “At this time, we intend to have no further comment in the media out of respect for the Dover Police Department’s desire to conduct a thorough investigation without a media circus.”

Hardin recently represented Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who was charged with child abuse.

NASCAR issued a statement on the police investigation of Busch.

“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.

Categorized in: NASCAR