NASCAR hits Kurt Busch with 10-day suspension, extends probation

Kurt Busch paid the price for his latest verbal outburst Monday, drawing a 10-day suspension from NASCAR that will keep him out of this weekend’s racing at Pocono Raceway.

NASCAR also extended Busch’s probation through the end of the year. It was set to expire July 25.

Busch had been on probation for his post-race actions in an altercation with Ryan Newman at Darlington Raceway on May 12. He made light of the probation in a televised interview after a run-in with Justin Allgaier during Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series event at Dover International Speedway.

But in another interview at Dover, Busch was videotaped making threatening remarks toward a reporter who brought up his probationary status. Busch’s statement was ruled a violation of Section 12-1 of the NASCAR rule book — “actions detrimental to stock car racing; violation of probation; verbal abuse to a media member.”

It’s not the first time that a viral video has cost the 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion. Last November, Busch was filmed by a fan as he berated veteran TV reporter Jerry Punch. Weeks later, Penske Racing parted ways with Busch.