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 Busch, 36, was kept on "indefinite probation" but was granted a
waiver to compete in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, NASCAR's playoff
format, should he qualify. Busch missed the first three races of the
season during his suspension.
"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of
criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's
return to full status as a NASCAR member," said NASCAR Executive
Vice President Steve O’Donnell.
To participate in the Chase playoffs, a driver must attempt to
qualify for all 26 NASCAR races unless granted a waiver.
Patricia Driscoll, 37, said Busch grabbed her by the neck inside his
motor home at Dover International Speedway in Delaware on Sept. 26
and slammed her head against a wall.
Kent County Court Commissioner David Jones ruled last month in favor
of Driscoll's request for a no-contact order, saying Busch had
likely physically abused Driscoll.
The ruling prompted NASCAR to suspend Busch and forced the mercurial
driver known as "The Outlaw" to miss the Daytona 500, NASCAR's
premier event.
The Delaware Attorney General's Office said last Thursday it would
not file criminal charges.
NASCAR said Busch had completed the terms of his reinstatement
including "behavioral assessment" sessions.
"It means the world to me, to be back in the car," Busch told a
telephone briefing. "It's been a tough situation the last few
months."
"I have gone through this with confidence knowing that I know the
truth and that I never did any of the things that I was accused of.
It was a complete fabrication," he added.
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Busch admits to cupping Driscoll's cheeks inside the motor home but
maintains he never hit her head.
He returns to his No. 41 Chevrolet this weekend at Phoenix
International Raceway. Busch, the 2004 Sprint Cup champion, has won
25 NASCAR races.
"Even though Kurt remains on indefinite probation under this
decision, I'm deeply concerned about the message NASCAR is sending
by letting him compete for the championship after he was found by a
judge to have committed an act of domestic violence," Driscoll said
in a statement.
"But I am gratified, at least, that NASCAR’s decision comes with the
mandatory condition that he follow through on the treatment he so
clearly needs."
(Reporting by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; additional reporting by
Lewis Franck; Editing by Will Dunham)
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