By Steve Almasy
CNN
(CNN) — Kurt Busch, the 2004 NASCAR top series champion, has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR events, the auto racing circuit said Friday.
The suspension comes after a court determined Busch committed an act of domestic violence against his former girlfriend, Patricia Driscoll, NASCAR officials told CNN.
“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 written statement.
Busch has the right to appeal the sanction, NASCAR Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell told reporters.
“NASCAR has made it very clear to our entire membership … that any actions of abuse will not be tolerated,” O’Donnell said.
The racing season officially begins Sunday with the Daytona 500.
Busch was accused by Driscoll of grabbing her by the throat and slamming her head into a wall three times while they were in Busch’s motor home at Dover International Speedway in October.
In 2004, Busch captured the Cup series title, winning NASCAR’s first postseason 10-race tournament.
CNN’s Quand Thomas contributed to this report.
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