NASCAR 2004 Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch is facing disciplinary action for using profanity and threatening a reporter after Saturday’s Nationwide Series at Dover International Speedway.
Reporter Bob Pockrass from SportingNews.com asked Busch about his issues with Justin Allgaier during the race and how the probation impacted his performance in the 5-Hour Energy 200.
“It refrains me from not beating the s— out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions,” Busch told the reporter. “But because I’m on probation I suppose that’s improper to say as well.”
Pockrass defended himself by saying it was a race-related question.
“It’s not racing,” Busch said. “You’re in this just to start stuff. That’s all you’re out here for.”
The video was captured by SPEED and Busch was fined $50,000. He is now under evaluation to see if his comments violate his probation terms.
NASCAR president Mike Helton and vice president Robin Pemberton reportedly met with Busch to discuss his comments before Sunday’s cup race in Dover, but will meet again this week further penalties.
“We are in the process of collecting all the facts and details surrounding the incident to assist us in making a correct and fair decision,” NASCAR spokesperson Kristi King said in a statement. “Nothing happened today. The focus was on the race.”
Busch is already on probation for incidents with driver Ryan Newman from the Darlington race last month. Busch was fined $50,000 for making an obscene gesture toward First Lady Michelle Obama in 2011 and was fired from Penske racing last season from a verbal tirade against ESPN analyst Dr. Jerry Punch after the Homestead-Miami Speedway race.
Busch joined Phoenix Racing during the off-season, but it is unknown how the penalties will affect his relationship with the company.
