Brian France: We won't act against Kurt Busch unless he's charged
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kurt Busch will not face any sanctions from NASCAR before police complete their investigation into domestic assault allegations by Busch's former girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll.
On Nov. 7, the Dover (Del.) Police Department announced that it was investigating Busch for an alleged domestic assault against Driscoll that happened during the fall Dover race weekend. No charges have been filed so far, with attorneys for both parties trading allegations about the incident.
"Well, listen, what's not lost on us by any stretch is the rightful heightened awareness on domestic abuse and violence, and so you can expect our policies to reflect the understandable awareness that that's not going to be tolerated," said France, when asked why driver Travis Kvapil faced no penalties when he entered a plea bargain earlier this year in a domestic-violence case involving his wife.
"The past of how any league might have handled some of this is one thing," said France. "It's pretty clear when you see what's happening around the country and in some of the other leagues that our policy will reflect the significance and importance that it should."
But unless and until Busch is charged, NASCAR will not initiate action against the 2004 Sprint Cup champion. A Dover Police Department spokesman told FOXSports.com Friday that the Busch investigation is still ongoing, and the department is still working out a time where it can sit down with him.
"We are watching that case carefully, and they are -- it's under review by law enforcement and others, and they have not made a decision on that regarding Kurt," said France. "So until they make some judgments on that investigation, it wouldn't be right of us to just intervene before they've even gotten the investigation completed. So that's our position. We'll respect their process. It's in their hands."
France said he had not personally spoken with Busch about the case, but others in NASCAR had.
Friday, Stewart-Haas Racing issued the following statement: "The allegation made against Kurt Busch is one Stewart-Haas Racing and its partners take very seriously. We have spoken to Kurt in depth regarding this matter and he has vehemently denied that it happened and assures us there is no truth to it whatsoever. We are monitoring this situation closely and will let the authorities continue with their thorough investigation. At this point in time we are taking Kurt at his word and his status with the team is unchanged."
A NASCAR spokesperson said Friday the sanctioning body has not responded to the Congresswoman's letter.
VIDEO: Kurt Busch being investigated for domestic assault
