NASCAR said Busch would not be allowed to race or participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice given the "serious nature of the findings and conclusions" made by the Delaware judge.
"Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made," the series said in a statement. "We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved."
In a 25-page opinion explaining why he issued the no-contact order this week, Family Court Commissioner David Jones concluded that it was more likely than not that Busch abused Patricia Driscoll by "manually strangling" her and smashing her head into a wall inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway last September.
Busch has denied the alleged assault, which is the subject of a separate criminal investigation, but the judge said Driscoll's version of the incident was more credible than Busch's.
After the suspension was announced, Driscoll said "no one is above the law." She urged NASCAR to develop a confidential reporting mechanism that partners of drivers could use to report domestic abuse without fear of threats or reprisals for coming forward
"I'm very encouraged that NASCAR is taking steps to recognize that domestic violence is a serious issue, and I hope that we see them develop a very clear policy on it," Driscoll said. "God forbid this happens in the future."
Busch becomes the first driver suspended by NASCAR for domestic violence; NASCAR Chairman Brian France has maintained the series would let the process play out before ruling on Busch's eligibility
NASCAR has suspended driver Kurt Busch after a Deleware judge said he commited an act of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend. / Photo: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images
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