In the XFINITY Series’ Alert Today Florida 300 on Lap 112, during a ten-car wreck that started at the exit from the Daytona International Speedway tri-oval, Kyle Busch crashed nose-first into the concrete wall inside turn one. Busch climbed from his car but was unable to stay on his feet.

Emergency medical technicians put an air cast on Busch’s right leg before lifting him on a stretcher into a waiting ambulance. and sent directly to Halifax Medical Center for further evaluation. Busch was awake and alert and undergoing treatment for his leg injury. Joe Gibbs Racing said Busch will not drive in Sunday’s Daytona 500. Taking his place is Matt Crafton.

Sunday’s race will be the first Sprint Cup event since the 2001 season without one of the Busch brothers – Kurt or Kyle – in the field.

On Friday, NASCAR issued the following statements about Kurt Busch:

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch for actions detrimental to stock car racing following the release on today of a supplemental disposition setting forth the findings and conclusions that formed the basis for the Family Court of the State of Delaware’s decision on Monday to issue an Order of Protection from Abuse against him.

Busch, driver of the No. 41 car, was found to be in violation of:

Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing

Section 12.8: Behavioral Penalty

“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. He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

“Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved.”

Kurt Busch’s appeal was heard on Saturday, February 21st and the panel up-held NASCAR’s actions and issued the following statements:

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered the appeal of driver Kurt Busch.

The penalty concerns Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12.8: Behavioral penalty.

The penalty stems from activities last year involving Kurt Busch that resulted in a decision by the Family Court of the State of Delaware to issue an Order of Protection of Abuse against him.

The penalty is an indefinite suspension.

The Appellant appealed both penalties.

Upon hearing the testimony, the National Motorsports Appeals Panel decided that the Appellant violated the rules set forth in the penalty notice. The Panel therefore decided to uphold the original penalty assessed by NASCAR.

The panel consisted of the following three individuals:

Mr. Paul Brooks

Ms. Lyn St. James

Mr. Kevin Whitaker

Kurt Busch presented his position to the panel.

Representing NASCAR was Jim Cassidy, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations.

The Appellate Administrator is NASCAR Vice President George Silbermann.

Kurt Busch has the right to appeal the decision to the Final Appeals Officer, Mr. Bryan Moss. Kurt Busch must inform NASCAR of his intent to do so within the guidelines provided to him.

The Final Appeals Officer has indicated that he would hear the final appeal, if requested, this evening at the International Motorsports Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Kurt Busch did file a final appeal and was heard by the Final Appeals Officer, Mr. Bryan Moss. Again, NASCAR’s actions were up-held and the following statements issued:

This evening, the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, Mr. Bryan Moss, heard and considered the appeal of driver Kurt Busch.

The penalty concerns Section 12.1.a: Actions detrimental to stock car racing; 12.8: Behavioral penalty

The penalty stems from activities last year involving Kurt Busch that resulted in a decision by the Family Court of the State of Delaware to issue an Order of Protection of Abuse against him.

The penalty is an indefinite suspension.

Earlier today, a three-person National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld the original penalty assessed by NASCAR.

Tonight, Kurt Busch presented his position to the Final Appeals Officer.

Representing NASCAR was Jim Cassidy, Senior Vice President of Racing Operations.

The Appellate Administrator is NASCAR Vice President George Silbermann.

Upon hearing tonight’s testimony, Bryan Moss, the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer, made the following decisions:

• The appellant violated the Rules set forth in the penalty notice and the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel was correct;
• The penalty was within the scope of the guidelines;
• The National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer upholds the original penalty levied by NASCAR

The decision of the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer is final and binding on all parties.

Kurt Busch now has exhausted his appeal options under the NASCAR Rulebook, and the indefinite suspension remains in effect.

He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

Stewart-Haas Racing has named Regan Smith interim driver of the No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet SS for the 57^th Daytona 500 Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

 

Smith took part in the Final practice for the Daytona 500 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. on Saturday.

 

Smith has some history with Stewart-Haas Racing, as he stepped behind the wheel for Tony Stewart in the team’s No. 14 car last August at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International.

 

Smith was the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year and won the 2011 Southern 500 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. He is a fulltime driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and finished second in the 2014 championship standings. Smith, 31, is from Cato, New York.

An interim driver for the No. 41 team at next weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Atlanta Motor Speedway and later races has not been determined.