The probation of NASCAR driver Kurt Busch has been extended to Dec. 31 2012 because of his threatening comment toward a Sporting News reporter. This would mean Busch will not be able to attend this week’s Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.
Following Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Dover International Speedway, Kurt Busch encountered a confrontation with a Sporting News reporter Bob Pockrass. It eventually resulted in his outburst of anger which was captured by a camera.
Busch was asked about whether being on probation impacted his way of dealing with competitor Austin Allgaier.
"It refrains me from beating the (expletive) out of you right now, because you ask me stupid questions. But since I'm on probation, I suppose that that's improper to say as well," Busch told Bob Pockrass.
According to NASCAR’s statement regarding Kurt Busch’s case, the driver violated Section 12-1 of NASCAR’s rule book which includes verbal abuse to a media member.
Earlier this year, Busch had been put on probation until July 25 due to his reckless driving on pit road at Darlington and a confrontation with Ryan Newman’s crew. The new comment to a news media has extended his probation to the end of the year.
The driver released an announcement on Monday in which he apologized for his inappropriate comments to the reporter.
"I accept NASCAR's decision. I put them in a box. They had to take action, and it's my fault for putting them in this position. I apologize for the comments I made to Bob Pockrass."
The event made it harder for Busch to stay in the team Phoenix Racing. As the owner of the team, James Finch said on Tuesday morning on a radio station, “He needs to either get his mind right or he's going to be working somewhere else. Quit wrecking cars. Be nice to people. That's not hard to do."
Meanwhile, this Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway has set up a big rearrangement because of Busch’s absence. Phoenix Racing will ask David Reutimann, a driver of the Tommy Baldwin Racing team, to replace Busch in his No. 51 car. Reutimann's vacated No. 10 will therefore be filled by another driver Dave Blaney. And Tony Raines will run Blaney's car.