NASCAR 2015 News: Driver Kurt Busch Reinstated
Kurt Busch has been reinstated by NASCAR and given a waiver to be eligible for the Chase for the Championship.
Under NASCAR rules drivers must run in all the races to be eligible, but waivers have been granted in the past. Busch will need to be in the top 30 in points (and win a race or be in the top 12 in points) to be eligible under regular rules. That is something of a long shot given the fact he has missed three races while dealing with the fallout from his legal issues in the State of Delaware.
Chevrolet also ended their suspension of the driver and Stewart-Haas Racing has publically stated Busch will be back in the #41 car this weekend at Phoenix International Race way.
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"As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member," NASCAR stated. "As we stated last week, the elimination of the possibility of criminal charges removed a significant impediment to Kurt Busch's return to full status as a NASCAR member."
"We therefore have decided to move him to indefinite probation and waive the Chase requirement. He has fully complied with our reinstatement program during his suspension and the health care expert who conducted his evaluation recommended his immediate return," they continued.
"We appreciate the steps Kurt Busch has made while following NASCAR's process for reinstatement," Joe Custer, Executive Vice President of SHR, stated. "He has taken this path seriously, which allowed him to return to our race team. With his reinstatement and the conclusion by the Delaware Attorney General to not file charges, our focus is on the future."
SHR as a team has had a lot of distractions since last fall with the Busch situation and the tragedy involving co-owner Tony Stewart. Now the team looks to put those things behind them and get back to racing. Teammate Kevin Harvick won the most recent Sprint Cup Series race in Las Vegas and the team will be looking to run strong again this week in Phoenix.
