NASCAR on Feb. 21 denied Kurt Busch's initial appeal for reinstatement from the indefinite suspension the sanctioning body announced Feb. 20 for "actions detrimental to stock car racing."
Earlier in the week, the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s issued an Order of Protection from Abuse against Busch stemming from its findings of a reported act of domestic violence against his former girlfriend in September. No criminal charges have been filed.
"Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately," NASCAR said in a statement.
Regan Smith was named to replace the Stewart-Haas Racing driver in the Feb. 22 Daytona 500. Speculation quickly arose that the 2004 series champion would seek to compete in the Verizon IndyCar Series for the 2015 season.
Busch made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in the 2014 Indianapolis 500 in an Andretti Autosport entry, and earned Rookie of the Year honors after finishing sixth. He said last month that he had not discussed with team owner Michael Andretti the prospect of competing in the 99th Indy 500 on May 24 -- the first half of the "double" he attempted in 2014. After completing the '500," Busch also competed in the Cup race in Concord, N.C.
Said INDYCAR in a statement: "INDYCAR has not received an application for membership from Kurt Busch, and has no indication that he intends to apply. The series takes domestic violence very seriously, and its rules (including Rule 2.11.3) provide the basis of authority to address personal conduct. INDYCAR is monitoring this situation as it evolves. We will act firmly and strongly in responding to all matters of domestic violence."