Kurt Busch, in trouble with the law.

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

Kurt Busch, in trouble with the law.

Date: Sun Nov 13 10:58:16 2005

"Busch was argumentative and uncooperative"

This can't be the same Kurt Busch....

MandyB · Stafford's Turn 1 "Princess"

Apparently he's done. Roush has suspended him for this race and Homestead. If you thought things couldn't get worse for the 2004 champion...things just did.

I've heard from the SpeedTV.com message board (where there's about 50 active threads about this topic) that the 11th place person would be moved up to 10th because Busch didn't race the final two races of the year. According to them, those in the chase have to race all 10 races in order to keep a top-10 points position. Is this true?

bratmaster · Administrator

I am absolutely thrilled for Kenny Wallace...yeah! This may be a good break for him, a chance to shine (although having to come from the back) he may get a really primo ride to show his wares.

To be honest Mandy, I am sure that once this happened they made a decision fast on how to handle the chase part of the incident. More than likely they held private conferences and no announcements were made until everyone was all in agreement, and it will be tweaked and changed later. Do you really think they had a provision for this sort of problem already in place? I personally don't think there are many drivers that would "chance" losing their ride. If they do, they deserve whatever comes their way. There's no reason for him to drink and drive with an entourage, but even less reason to be an idiot about it....

Go Elliott!!!

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

Not sure on the way that will work Mandy, but I am sure it will all be explained in agonizing detail during pre race today. What does everyone think Miller, his new sponsor for next year at Penske think of this? With the, "please drink responsibly" slogan that the "Booze" sponsered drivers are supposed to represent? For more on the story from Nascar.com, click on the links below:

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/11/13/bc.car.nascar.buschout.ap/index.html

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/11/12/kbusch_detained.ap/index.html

bratmaster · Administrator

and I just found another article from a local Arizona detail that gets more specific about the actual incident:

Ku. Busch cited for reckless driving

Jim Gintonio and Stephanie Paterik
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

Defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champ Kurt Busch was issued a criminal traffic citation for reckless driving Friday night by a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office deputy.

The stop occurred at 8:20 p.m. near El Mirage and Broadway roads, about three miles from Phoenix International Raceway.

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said a motorcycle deputy saw Busch nearly rear-end another vehicle, speed around it to avoid a crash and blast through a stop sign. He was clocked at 60 mph in a 45 zone. The deputy said he tried to stop him, but Busch kept driving. The deputy called for backup and another deputy helped pull Busch over.

Arpaio said Busch insulted the deputy by asking what law enforcement agency he was from and saying, "you ought to be directing traffic." Busch reportedly pulled out his driver's license and NASCAR identification and said, "Don't you know who I am?"

"He can speed on the racetrack but he's not going to speed on the streets of Maricopa County," Arpaio said.

MCSO spokesman Lt. Paul Chagolla said the deputy "smelled alcohol" and tried to administer a standard field sobriety test. Busch started the tests but stopped before completing each one.

He was then taken into custody under suspicion of driving under the influence and transported to a mobile command post at PIR for a breath-alcohol test, but the machine malfunctioned.

Busch, who will drive in today's Checker Auto Parts 500, was issued a criminal citation for reckless driving and ordered to appear in Tolleson Justice Court on Dec. 22.

Busch released a statement to the Associated Press on Saturday night that said: "I regret the incident that occurred ... It is important to understand that this citation is not alcohol related. I want to apologize to the Maricopa County sheriff's department for my actions."

"I don't plan to take any action myself," said Jack Roush, Busch's team owner. "I'm not looking down the road with Kurt, based on the fact that he has his release and he will be doing something else. He'll be under new management, and new oversight next year, and I'll just stand aside and watch and see how that works out for him."

Busch will drive for Penske Racing South next season.

Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications, said the organization has "conversations with our drivers about conduct, yes."

Republic reporter Josh Weinfuss contributed to this report.

Date: Mon Nov 14 05:23:04 2005

Guess Kyle walked out of the victory post-race interview after losing his thunder to his brother. The media was more comcerned about Kurt's off track debaucle than Kyle's win, and I am sure Kyle wasn't physically debriefed properly pre-race and was told not to say anything at all.I mean he only had like a one in 35 chance of winning the race. How weird was that?Didn't hear much during the race about how the points are gonna shake out, but then again the 10 Chasers ARE on a whole different system.Do you think Rousch was really angry enough to monetarily hurt himself and the team by suspending Kurt?Lotsa unanswered questions, and crocodile tears from a spoiled brat. No offense to yours.

Date: Mon Nov 14 05:34:04 2005

"I am behind my brother 100 percent," Kyle Busch said in what turned out to be part one of his winner's interview. "Usually things in the media are false."

When Kyle was asked what errors have been made in reporting the incident with Kurt and its on-going aftermath, Kyle said he would answer no further questions on that topic.

When pressed by reporters for answer, he got up and left the interview room.

About 25 minutes later, Kyle returned.

"There is a lot of speculation out there in the media," Kyle Busch said at that point. "The only things that are out there for us to acknowledge are the police report and whatever Kurt might say in the future."

see?he had to leave the room and go be told what to say, just like I am sure that during the first test on that fateful Friday night, that Kurt was reminded that if he were to have evidence of drinking his new contract could be comprimised, and how convenient that the machine malfunctions. Anyone reading this ever hear of a breathalizer machine malfunctioning? And it just so happenes to have been the one at the PIR infield cop shop???? hmmmm....It could drive you crazy with all the possibole scenarios. thing that made me the most angry though was just that it seems as long as I wasn't drinking...Doesn't matter that i almost caused a wreck, was a beligerent idiot, and I can't cry on cue...but....ahhhh...I betcha Fenning can.

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Busch was tested and below blood-alcohol content limit: An alcohol test taken by defending Nextel Cup Champion Kurt Busch showed the 27-year-old fell far short of the legal level for intoxication last Friday night near Phoenix International Raceway, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department said late Monday. Busch was charged with reckless driving near the raceway on Friday evening after he was clocked at 60-mph in a 45-mph zone by a Maricopa County deputy. Busch began fleeing from the deputy by running a stop sign and making erratic lane changes. Busch was pulled over less than three miles from the Phoenix track moments later after a second officer assisted in the pursuit. "Mr. Busch was administered a preliminary breath test at the command post which registered .017," Maricopa Sheriff's Lt. Paul Chagolla said. In Arizona, a person can be charged with driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level at .08 or higher. A 170-pound male who consumes two drinks in two hours will have a blood-alcohol content of .01, according to estimates from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site. Chagolla said the decision to have Busch take a second breath alcohol test — this time on an Intoxilyzer 8000 machine — was at the sole discretion of the deputy. "It's all up to the investigating officer," Chagolla said. "He could have made that decision, but this is an experienced deputy sheriff who does many DUI arrests. You have to trust his decisions." Chagolla said Saturday that Busch had performed a preliminary breath alcohol test during Friday evening's roadside stop. Chagolla admitted Monday night, however, the chronology of events he originally reported was erroneous, and the initial breath alcohol test was conducted at the county's command post at the speedway. "The odor of alcohol, combined with dangerous driving, gave the officer the right to transport Mr. Busch," Chagolla said. Media reports from Chagolla on Saturday said the Intoxilyzer 8000 had failed.
When asked why the .017 reading wasn't made available to the public on Saturday, Chagolla said he was still on a fact-finding mission. "Whatever information I had at the time is what I was going to release," Chagolla said. "And it's important to note that never at any point did the sheriff's office say he was impaired."
Busch was suspended Sunday for the season's final two Cup events. Roush Racing president Geoff Smith defended the decision, saying Busch's actions violated contractual obligations with sponsor Crown Royal, whose parent company is Diageo. "Regardless of whatever level of [alcohol] presence was there while driving, we have some very strict sponsorship rules in place,," Smith told reporters. "We feel very strongly that those rules have been significantly breached." Busch and Roush Racing representatives could not be reached for comment Monday evening.(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-15-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Miller Lite Comments: Kurt Busch will be with the Miller Brewing Company when he takes over the #2 Miller Lite Dodge in 2006. Asked if Penske Racing South was still confident that Busch was the right pairing for that sponsorship, the team president, Don Miller, said: "Absolutely. I see some qualities that he has that are excellent. But I've also seen some areas we need to work on." Although he is not yet with Penske, Busch was contacted by officials at Miller yesterday. "We've spoken with Kurt and we're confident he truly understands the significance of his behavior, particularly regarding the fact we cannot and will not tolerate any behavior that demonstrates a lack of responsibility in the consumption of alcohol," the company said in a prepared statement. "We're going to stand by Kurt, but we made it clear to him that we expect him to also stand by us by demonstrating behavior befitting a true champion."(New York Times)(11-15-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

from Jayski.com:

Busch not to participate in Homestead events: A day after Roush Racing suspended Kurt Busch for the remainder of the season, officials at Homestead-Miami Speedway announced that the defending Nextel Cup champion will not participate in events leading up to Sunday's Ford 400. The unveiling of the 2004 Nextel championship banner at 1:00pm/et Tuesday has been canceled, speedway spokesman Phil de Montmollin said. The banner currently is on display, but Homestead had scheduled to formally honor Busch, who last year won the first Nextel Cup under the current chase format. Entering this Sunday's race he ranks ninth, 441 points behind leader Tony Stewart. ``It's not a real big deal for us, because the championship banner will be up,'' speedway president Curtis Gray said. Greg Biffle, fourth in the chase, will replace Busch at a question-and-answer session during the ``All-Star Welcome to Ford Championship Week,'' with Marlins' outfielder Jeff Conine. During the event from 6 to 9 p.m. at Conine's Clubhouse Grille in Hollywood, fans can view the Nextel Cup and win two tickets to the Ford 400.(Mercury News)(11-15-2005)

scott121476 · Moderator

i know im late........... but this is the funny story of the year.........

1. a sheriff thinking hes ROSCOE P COLTRAIN and nails a high profile nascar driver and blows the story out of proprosion, only thing missing is that busch does not have to sing at the end of the show

2. if what "roscoe" is saying is true when he said "he was verbally abusive to my deputys" jimmy spencer must have been thinking "now people know why i used him as a punching bag a few years back"

3. penske AND busch plan on doing donations to the comunity.. 1 WORD >>>>>> BRIBE

4. as much as i think kenny wallace needs a fair break....... roush has blinders on when he failed look at his fellow truck series driver for seat time for next year.....

5. kyle flamming sharpie and crown royal for ditching his brother >>>>>>> helton and france ready to send the mob after him after the 5 second delay fails ONCE AGAIN.....

that is my take.......... till then

scott

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Make sure to click on the the link from the Arizona Republic, then click on the links with folders on right side. In my opinion, he is lucky anyone still sponsers him!

Busch Police Report: Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio released the police report of the Nov. 11 incident with Kurt Busch Thursday, along with a statement of how the "antagonistic" Busch was stopped for reckless driving and even refused a deputy's request to submit to a field sobriety test. But although the lengthy report details the belligerent manner in which Busch dealt with the officers involve- at one time, according to the report, saying, "You have no idea what you're doing. You have no idea who I am. You have to be the dumbest cops I've ever met" - it also says he later passed both a preliminary breath test and an eye test.
An unnamed female passenger in the rented Ford Expedition told police that Busch was driving because she had had too much to drink. Busch told police he had consumed one margarita at a Mexican restaurant. According to the report, Busch's blood-alcohol level was .017 percent, well below the .08 intoxication limit in Arizona. Arresting deputy Glenn Powe had attempted to test Busch earlier on another breathalyzer machine, but it was found to be out of tolerance, police said. Busch was handcuffed, told he was being arrested for DUI, and brought to a command post, where he agreed to the other tests. There, "I did not see any obvious signs or symptoms of alcohol impairment," wrote one of the three deputies involved in the incident.
But the Roush organization said it suspended Busch for his hostility toward the deputies involved. According to the report, Powe tried to stop Busch after he noticed the Explorer following another vehicle too closely, and swerving across a solid yellow line to avoid an accident after the first vehicle slowed to make a right turn. According to Powe's narrative, Busch handed the deputy his NASCAR credential in addition to his driver's license and rental car agreement. Powe wrote that he asked Busch if he worked for NASCAR, and received "a long-winded dissertation about his celebrity status, listing his accomplishments as if he were reading me his resume."
After asking Busch to exit the vehicle, Powe wrote that the driver responded, "This is bull----." Later, according to Powe, Busch said, "You guys are a joke. Punks. Aren't you supposed to be directing traffic somewhere?" Powe wrote that Busch refused to finish the field sobriety test, saying, "I'm not doing this gay (expletive) test." Powe wrote that as he powered up the breathalyzer machine later found to be out of tolerance, Busch said, "You're only doing this because you're a Jeff Gordon fan."(Charleston Post and Courier and links to copis of the report at the Arizona Republic)(11-18-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

Two links from Nascar.com, the first with Roush's latest take on the situation, the second with Busch's thoughts.

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/11/18/kbusch.jroush.miami/index.html

http://aolsvc.sports.aol.nascar.com/2005/news/headlines/cup/11/18/bc.car.nascar.buschinte.ap/index.html

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Kurt Busch to attend Nextel Cup banquet? Car owner Jack Roush said Friday that he wasn’t sure whether fired Roush driver Kurt Busch would represent the team at the NASCAR Annual Awards Banquet Dec. 2 in New York [he will finish 10th]. Asked about the upcoming awards banquet, Roush added, “I’m not sure. I haven’t really contemplated that. I don’t know about the banquet. I don’t know what convention requires or what (series sponsor) Nextel will require there.”(Speed Channel)(11-19-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

AND Q) Will Kurt Busch Represent Roush Racing at the NASCAR Banquet in New York?
A) “I haven’t got a clue. I’m not sure. I hadn’t contemplated that. They said that the manager of the race track came and told me the 97 flag was going to be taken down from the flag stand on Sunday here and Kurt will not be involved in that procedure. Jimmy Fennig and I will go up and take the flag, but I don’t know about the banquet. I’m not sure what convention requires or what Nextel will require there. I’m just not sure.”(Ford Racing)
UPDATE: hearing that Kurt Busch is planning on being at the Nextel Cup Banquet.(11-19-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Penske Talks about Kurt Busch: In an exclusive interview with Sporting News' Lee Spencer, Roger Penske expressed his feelings on the recent Kurt Busch incident in Phoenix and the future of the No. 2 car.
TSN: Can you address the situation with Kurt Busch last weekend and how you expect to move forward?
PENSKE: I hired Kurt Busch because I thought he was a great racecar driver. The situation that took place at Phoenix is unfortunate for him and certainly unfortunate for us. We stood by him 300 percent. Our sponsors stood by him. I think a lot of his peers stood by him. From my perspective, I think it's a lot better for something like this to happen now than if we have to deal with it in the future. I think the other thing is for every bad thing that happens, usually a good thing comes out. I think it's a wake up call for all of us in the sport. We're all under a tremendous magnifying glass here, and because of that we're going to have to watch the things we do. For Kurt, it's one of those things in life -- I have four sons and I could say there were defining moments as they grew up and now they're great guys. It's my personal goal to have the best race team and Kurt's going to be part of that. More at the Sporting News.(11-20-2005)

Kyle Busch admits mistake: #5-Kyle Busch attempted to mend fences with the media on Saturday, six days after abruptly walking out of the post-race winner's news conference at Phoenix. Last Sunday when a reporter challenged Busch's comment that the media had spread misinformation surrounding his brother Kurt Busch's reckless driving charge, the #5 Chevrolet driver stormed out of the question-and-answer session, only to return 25 minutes later. "I made a mistake, and I realize that," Kyle Busch said on Saturday. "Everything that was said was [during] a high emotion time. All the speculation and everything else, it was just a bad time for me."(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)(11-20-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Busch court date postponed: #2-Kurt Busch has a January court date to face a criminal reckless driving citation he received while in the Valley for the Nextel Cup race last month. Busch was scheduled to appear in Tolleson Justice Court on Thursday but changed the court date to 9:00am on Jan. 27, according to court officials. The 2004 Nextel Cup champion was belligerent and uncooperative when he was pulled over by Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies on Nov. 11 near Phoenix International Raceway, according to sheriff's reports. A breath test and field sobriety tests confirmed Busch wasn't drunk, but deputies issued a criminal traffic citation for reckless driving. Busch's 2005 team, #97 Roush Racing [now #26 team, Busch to drive #2 Dodge in 2006], suspended him for the final two races of the season.(East Valley Tribune)(12-24-2005)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Busch's court date today: #2-Kurt Busch has a court date today in Maricopa County (Ariz.) on charges of criminal reckless driving stemming from a Nov. 11 traffic stop near Phoenix International Raceway where he verbally abused officers, according to charging documents.(St. Petersburg Times)(1-27-2006)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

UPDATE: For the second time Kurt Busch has had his Maricopa County Arizona court date postponed. Tolleson Justice Court Judge Joe "Pep" Guzman granted Busch's lawyer another continuance however the date has not yet been set. Busch was charged with reckless driving after being stopped by a Maricopa County Sheriff's Deputy last November.(PRN's Garage Pass Radio Show)(1-27-2006)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness

From Jayski.com:

Kurt Busch Resolves Arizona Traffic Incident: #2-Kurt Busch appeared in Aqua Fria Justice Court today and agreed to the terms proposed by the Maricopa County [Arizona] Attorney's Office and approved by the Court regarding a traffic incident that occurred on Nov. 11, 2005. "I am pleased to have this incident behind me," Busch said. "I have learned many lessons from the situation and one of them is that speeding should be saved for the race track. I am excited for the 2006 race season to begin and look forward to the racing activities at Daytona this week." Busch took responsibility for excessive speed, as well as citations for passing in a no passing zone and following another vehicle too closely. As part of the resolution, Busch will perform community service, which will be determined in the near future.(Penske Racing PR)(2-8-2006)

openwheelracer · Admin/Mod/Eyewitness