Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

NASCAR Star Avoids DUI, Cited for Reckless Driving
Breath Alcohol Test Machine at Sheriff's Facility Failed

PHOENIX (Nov. 12) - Kurt Busch was detained on suspicion of drunken driving and cited for reckless driving after a confrontation with police near the track where the NASCAR champion is to race Sunday.



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Busch was stopped Friday night after trying to avoid another car and running a stop sign about 2 miles from Phoenix International Raceway, said Lt. Paul Chagolla

"As a result of the roadside investigation the deputy did take Mr. Busch into custody for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol," said Chagolla, a Maricopa County sheriff's spokesman.

Chagolla said the deputy smelled alcohol on Busch, but the driver refused to perform standard field sobriety tests. Busch did submit to a field breath alcohol test, disclosing the presence of alcohol.

The deputy drove Busch to the raceway, where a sheriff's facility is located, to administer another breath test but the machine there failed. The deputy then decided to cite Busch for reckless driving and he was released, Chagolla said.

Busch was spotted driving about 60 mph in a 45 mph zone, Chagolla said. A deputy tried to pull Busch over but there was some delay, Chagolla said. When he did stop, Busch was argumentative and uncooperative, Chagolla said. The deputy then called for a supervisor.

"This is Maricopa County and our streets are not to be used as raceways," sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "He ought to confine his speeding to the racetrack. And I don't like anybody being abusive to my deputies - I don't care who they are."

Busch, the reigning Nextel Cup champion, is in Phoenix to race in Sunday's Checker Auto Parts 500. Busch, eighth in points for the season, qualified 17th for the race. His team did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


Nextel Cup Standings


1. Tony Stewart (6100 points)
2. Jimmie Johnson (-38)
3. Carl Edwards (-77)
4. Greg Biffle (-122)
5. Mark Martin (-123)
6. Matt Kenseth (-135)
7. Ryan Newman (-174)
8. Kurt Busch (-281)
9. Rusty Wallace (-315)
10. Jeremy Mayfield (-407)

Rankings updated through Nov. 6. These are the contenders in the Chase for the Nextel Cup.


NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said: "It's a traffic ticket as far as we know."

Busch's truculent behavior on and off the track has gotten him in trouble with NASCAR and other drivers in the past.

The 27-year-old driver from Las Vegas was punched in the face by Jimmy Spencer for trying to deliberately wreck him. He was called "an arrogant punk" by Kevin Harvick and is booed by fans who dislike his aggressive driving.

Busch got into trouble with NASCAR again at Darlington in May when he refused to go where he was told after returning to the track following a crash. He then was called into the pits for a penalty and responded with expletives directed at NASCAR officials over his car radio. He also tossed a water bottle that hit the NASCAR official in his pit.

NASCAR officials said his behavior was not "befitting of a champion."


11/12/05 17:33 EST
Link here (http://articles.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20051112160509990015)

What? Does this guy think he is actually in the NBA?

Do you think that Sheriff Joe Arpaio would like to see Kurt Busch in pale pink? From what I understand, he really doesn't take kindly to having his deputies mistreated.

From what I understand, he really doesn't take kindly to having his deputies mistreated.
Unless he is the one doing the mistreating.

Joe is a great politician; the older voting generation in Maricopa County loves his sound bites.

But, if you ever can get one of the MCSO Deputies to open up, you will find Joe can be one hell of an arrogant, Napoleonic prick.

Joe also has a way of severly pissing off the other thirteen Sheriff's in Arizona.

Glock22 can probably tell some stories, I think she worked for Joe for a while.

Sheriff Arpaio will have him in pink shorts and a tent in no time! :) He must think he is special becuase he drives for NASCAR. I'm glad the deputy took him, instead of letting him off on account of him being famous.

:o I guess I'm spoiled, our local sheriff is one hell of a guy. But I suppose that isn't really true across the board for most places.

Do you think that Sheriff Joe Arpaio would like to see Kurt Busch in pale pink? From what I understand, he really doesn't take kindly to having his deputies mistreated.

Pink and green are Buschs new colors? :D

:o I guess I'm spoiled, our local sheriff is one hell of a guy. But I suppose that isn't really true across the board for most places.
As a potential voter, Ducky, Joe would treat you like gold!

A couple of weeks ago, a sergeant and lieutenant from MCSO Internal Affairs came to my office to set up an interview with one of their employees we had arrested.

As I was escorting them from the front lobby, my Sheriff, Chris Vasquez, was walking down the hallway. Sheriff Vasquez was being hailed by staff employees with "Good Afternoon, Sheriff"... "How's it going to today, Sir?" ...etc.

The Sheriff was responding to each, by their first names, with friendly personable comments.

When we got inside my office, the MCSO Lieutenant commented on what he had observed, commending the morale and mutual respect shown between Sheriff Vasquez and staff. It went without saying, by tone of voice and inflection, that this same behavior is not observed at MCSO.

The deputy drove Busch to the raceway, where a sheriff's facility is located, to administer another breath test but the machine there failed. The deputy then decided to cite Busch for reckless driving and he was released, Chagolla said.

Why wouldn't the deputy take him to the hospital for a blood test? I wouldn't have cut him a break after he gave me a hard time..Screw him.

Why wouldn't the deputy take him to the hospital for a blood test? I wouldn't have cut him a break after he gave me a hard time..Screw him.

Blood or Urine.....I'd take him for all he's worth.

Personally, I'm a Kurt Busch fan...to an extent. But I don't like drunk's at all....I'd do whatever I could to ruin his night.

Joe also has a way of severly pissing off the other thirteen Sheriff's in Arizona.

There are only 14 Sheriffs in Arizona?

87 in MN.....that's a jump up from Arizona's 14.

Really big counties or what?

There are only 14 Sheriffs in Arizona?
I think the counties are the size of Rhode Island tho :eek:

When he did stop, Busch was argumentative and uncooperative, Chagolla said. The deputy then called for a supervisor.

Another dirt bag with more money than sense... :rolleyes:

Another dirt bag with more money than sense... :rolleyes:
His team suspended him for the remaining 2 races.
link here (http://articles.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20051113123209990006)

87 in MN.....that's a jump up from Arizona's 14.

Really big counties or what?


100 counties here

Can you still race in NASCAR if you don't have a valid license? I have always wondered that!

Can you still race in NASCAR if you don't have a valid license? I have always wondered that!

Apparently you can... considering Scott Wimmer did after driving drunk, wrecking a team truck and then fleeing the scene.

Apparently you can... considering Scott Wimmer did after driving drunk, wrecking a team truck and then fleeing the scene.

Which is absurd if you ask me. Not just not having a license, I personally think if they have several driving violations, or severe driving violation(s) ie: reckless driving. They drive for a living, if someone with a CDL (trucker) gets a DWI...what happens? They lose their job.

'Nuff said.

Another dirt bag with more money than sense... :rolleyes:

Yep. That's what happens when people make a lot of money doing something that comes easy for them and they really don't have to work for it. Apparently it's the same in NASCAR as it is in MLB, NBA and the NFL.

I'll give Bush's team owner, Jack Roush, some credit. He suspended him for the remainder of the season. This will cost him (Roush) money. I'm sure Roush's sponsors has some say so in this matter but it will cost them money too.

And interestingly, Bush has a commercial with one his sponsors....Crown Royal. I'm serious.....check it out.Isn't it ironic (http://racing.crownroyal.com/video/20050622)

And interestingly, Bush has a commercial with one his sponsors....Crown Royal. I'm serious.....check it out.

Isn't it ironic (http://racing.crownroyal.com/video/20050622)


Yeah, it's like RRRRAAAAAAAIIINNNN, on your wedding day....... :rolleyes:

Yeah, it's like RRRRAAAAAAAIIINNNN, on your wedding day....... :rolleyes:

"A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic... don't you think?"

:D

Which is absurd if you ask me. Not just not having a license, I personally think if they have several driving violations, or severe driving violation(s) ie: reckless driving. They drive for a living, if someone with a CDL (trucker) gets a DWI...what happens? They lose their job.

'Nuff said.

Come to think of it, I think he just got off with some community service and fines. Not a minute spent behind bars. If I remember right he was almost twice the legal limit, flipped a truck owned by his team owner (Bill Davis) and then went home and claimed he knew nothing of it. Now where would I be if it were ME behind the wheel?

And interestingly, Bush has a commercial with one his sponsors....Crown Royal. I'm serious.....check it out.Isn't it ironic (http://racing.crownroyal.com/video/20050622)

im glad they suspended him i thought i was going to have to boycott my favorite adult beverage.....crown and ginger ale.....just like granny used to make it :D

"A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic... don't you think?........



A little tooooo ironic.....don't you think?

"A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic... don't you think?"

:D

Not exactly. I'm not big NASCAR fan, but what Roush did actually sets a precedent. Toleration of "Bad Boy" behavior is finally on it's way to becoming a thing of the past....maybe.

First time I've heard of something like this from a Nascar TEAM owner.


I'm glad.

Since the tracks are private property or at least not publicly accessible for driving then I don't think they need an OL to race. It's like the cars that have been modified and illegal (ricers) can be legitimately taken to a track and raced etc since it's not a public highway there.

Since the tracks are private property or at least not publicly accessible for driving then I don't think they need an OL to race. It's like the cars that have been modified and illegal (ricers) can be legitimately taken to a track and raced etc since it's not a public highway there.

Most sanctioning organizations for auto racing require an OL/DL to compete per insurance stipulations (SCCA, FIA, ALMS,..etc). However, it's run on the honor system... You sign a statement that says "Yes, I have a valid OL/DL". Resources required to check driver status are not generally available to us....yet.

For NASCAR, given the celebrity stature assigned to the "Tarmac Warriors", I'd imagine little pesky things like a valid OL/DL are not really delved into.

NASCAR need an OL? Hell, their sponsors will buy one, they're only a few hundred thousand...