Kurt Busch at Daytona’s media day talking with Ricky Craven. [Russ Lake Photo]
Daytona Beach, Fla. – While NASCAR teams, drivers and fans eagerly await the 2015 racing season, Kurt Busch is not only one of the eager ones he’s even more eager to learn the outcome of the charges that have been levied against him by his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll. The case is in the hands of judicial authorities in Dover, Delaware, the city where the charges were filed.
In the charges, Driscoll alleges that Busch slammed her head into a wall in his motorhome prior to the September Sprint Cup race. Driscoll is seeking a protective order against Busch, which, if approved, could adversely affect his driving career.
Hearings were held in late 2014 and to date, no pronouncements have been forthcoming. During Media Day at Daytona, Busch said usually the courts rule in about 30 days or less but his case is still open. “We are now close to 100 days and often the time around these types of situations take about 30 minutes,” Busch said. “Sometimes preferential treatment can go the wrong way. We all have to be patient and to understand there’s a process that we have to respect. And the fact that no announcement has come out continues to be good news.”
Busch said the support from his team has been fantastic, particularly from co-owner Gene Haas. “I told them the truth and it is easy to be here and be pumped up about the season,” Busch added. “I feel like it is full throttle, full-steam ahead.”
According to the team management, a contingency plan has been formulated but its content has not been divulged.
Until an announcement is made, Busch plans to focus on racing, hoping a final decision will go in his favor.