2004 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Kurt Busch is facing DWI charges, plus charges of careless and reckless driving, and speeding charges following his arrest on Monday, August 12 at 11:32 PM.
Per Iredell Free News, the 46-year-old retired NASCAR driver was pulled over for speeding after an Iredell County Sherriff’s Office deputy clocked his 2024 Lexus traveling at 63mph in a 45mph zone on Brawley School Road, according to court documents.
Deputy Zalepka reported that Busch, who lives in Mooresville, North Carolina, “had red glassy eyes” and “a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath,” according to court records, per Iredell Free News.
A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper who later responded to assist with the traffic stop charged Busch with driving while impaired after his blood-alcohol concentration registered at 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit for impaired driving in the State of North Carolina, which is 0.08.
Busch was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, where he was released at about 2:36 AM Tuesday on a signed promise to appear in court on September 19.
In November 2005, Busch was cited for reckless driving after having been pulled over on suspicion of DUI in Maricopa County, Arizona. He was ordered to complete 50 hours of community service in that case.
During his 23-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series, Busch found success while driving for several different organizations, including Chip Ganassi Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Phoenix Racing, Furniture Row Racing, Team Penske, and Roush Fenway Racing.
Most recently, Busch was competing for 23XI Racing, a team co-owned by Michael Jordan and NASCAR star Denny Hamlin, driving the No. 45 Toyota Camry XSE. At Pocono Raceway, Busch was involved in a qualifying crash that brought on a concussion, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series campaign.
Busch never returned to NASCAR Cup Series competition, officially announcing his retirement last August. The Las Vegas, Nevada native remained part of 23XI Racing, where he continued as a consultant and mentor to drivers Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick.
TobyChristie.com has reached out to 23XI Racing to obtain a statement regarding Busch’s arrest. Nothing has been received as of the time of publishing.
