Kurt Busch has been granted a delay of a hearing as part of an abuse petition filed by his ex-girlfriend. / Photo: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
DOVER, DE (AP) - A Delaware family court commissioner has granted NASCAR driver Kurt Busch's request to delay a hearing on a protection from abuse petition filed by his ex-girlfriend.<br />
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Busch's attorney asked for the delay in court papers filed last Friday, saying Busch is participating in a race car rally in Italy and that his return flight is Dec. 2, the same day as the scheduled hearing.<br />
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The postponement was granted over the objections of an attorney for Patricia Driscoll, who said Driscoll wants a no-contact order entered as soon as possible.<br />
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The new hearing date is Dec. 16.<br />
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The family court matter is separate from an ongoing criminal investigation by Dover police into Driscoll's allegations that Busch assaulted her inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway in September.