Kurt Busch, a 2004 NASCAR champion, has been suspended from racing due to a domestic violence ruling in Delaware Family Court.
He is the first NASCAR driver suspended for domestic violence, the Associated Press reports. The suspension comes days before the official start of the racing season.
“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately," NASCAR said in a statement. "He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice."
The court ruling found that Busch more likely than not strangled and struck his ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll after a race in 2014.
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk.