Former stock car season champion Kurt Busch won't be racing this weekend in Pocono, Pennsylvania, after NASCAR suspended him for verbally abusing a reporter following Saturday's race in Dover, Delaware.
Busch was already on NASCAR probation following a confrontation with an opponent's crew in Darlington, South Carolina, in May.
When Sporting News reporter Bob Pockrass asked Busch on Saturday whether being on probation affected his performance on the track, Busch berated Pockrass.
"It refrains me from not beating the (expletive) out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions," Busch replied. "But since I'm on probation, I suppose that's improper to say as well."
Busch's probation was to have ended July 25. NASCAR has extended that for the rest of the year as well as suspending Busch for any races this weekend in Pocono, according to a NASCAR press release.
"Busch violated Section 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing; violation of probation; verbal abuse to a media member) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book," the press release said.
In a statement, Busch accepted his punishment, according to a report on NASCAR.com.
"I put them in a box," he said of NASCAR officials. "They had to take action, and it's my fault for putting them in this position. I apologize for the comments I made to Bob Pockrass."
Busch has 24 career victories and was the 2004 series champion.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Thin skin media? Yeah, right!
LOL Go Kurt. I hate how tight the leash has become on the drivers. They are human, and get mad just like everybody else. It's ok for idiot pop stars to say and do stupid things. Would you rather him say something like this, or take his anger out on the track? Let him speak his mind. OH, and ask intelligent questions, that would be a good start.
The 3rd generation France kids are just trust fund babies. They don't know anything they didn't learn at the finest Republican fund raisers. LOL
Yeah, what about the reporter? If this grown man is so sensitive that he cannot take an answer appropriate to his STUPID question then maybe he should actually think before he opens his mouth!
Yes of course , any professional should be allowed to go off on anyone for asking a job related question. I can just see your reaction to your primary care Doc. calling you stupid.
Apples and oranges.
I don't see anywhere in the article where the reporter had an issue with the comment. It would appear that NASCAR management had an issue with the comment. Hoestly, Mr. Busch is a big boy. If he can't simply ignore a question or be smart enough to simply answer "Thanks for that question" and move on then he really shouldn't be answering questions from anybody.
I'm with Jim. Reporters just get up in people's faces. It's so annoying, even just to watch.
You're arguing against something that was not stated or implied in the article. There's nothing about the reporter's reaction so why do you assume he's sensitive. His feeling are irrelevant to this decision. NASCAR has rules and he broke one of them. It's as simple as that. He knew the rules. Time to grow up ans stop having tantrums.
I agree with you..The Reporter here needs to apologize to Kurt and get suspended from his network himself.
As if someone that drives in circles could beat the (expletive) out of anyone.
I would say that it is about time that professional drivers grew up enough to act like an adult instead of some spoiled brat. It is about time NASCAR stepped up and put their foot down on their drivers that can not behave themselves.
Surprised he didn't to go spider monkey on his as s
What a sissy prima-donna masqurading as a tuff guy – can't stand the heat? Go back to Bumpikinville where you can hang around your fellow idiots
He's from Las Vegas.
People forget NASCAR
Wow! Give the reporter a box of tissues and let go cry in a corner...keep it up NASCAR your killing what once was an exciting sport to watch with all your dumb and stupid changes and new rules that your continue to destroy the sport with...its became so boring that you can't even sell out the stadiums anymore..and nobody even wants to waste there time watching it on tv..
Why? Did you see him crying. he broke NASCAR's rules.
What an idiot, he deserves to be suspended and it should be even longer since he's already on probation. Pockrass is good and can control his temper. If that punk Busch would have told me that, I would have ask him to go ahead and try. Not only would he had been suspended longer but would have been embarrased seating on his behind.
To refer to NASCAR as having their feelings hurt or reputation slighted is the funniest thing I've ever heard.
“actions detrimental to stock car racing” isn’t that an oxymoron”? To say that you have offended binky wearing, red neck drunks is too funny.
The guy didn’t hit the idiot he might not of should of said it but in the end “WHO CARES” when you cannot comment without being “MISS MANNERS” there’s a lot more wrong with this country than some reporters feelings.
Give me a freakin break!!!!!
But since we are going to censor folks and take away their rights to free speech I say "HANG BUSHE as an example. I mean you've only taken away his ability to make a living. I assume the reporter is devistated and will sue now for damages. gessh.
Want to reduce our reliance on foreign oil? STOP burning it circling a track for hours. How completely idiotic.
Netracer: NAscar does not run on alcohol. It runs on 110 octane gas.
People forget NASCAR became popular after two drivers stood toe to toe and had a slug fest on the track. Every race my husband and I laugh at how thin the crowds are...simply put it only proves no matter how NASCAR or the media puts it, the racing is boring. who cares who wins...it is the interesting driver like Busch who is getting the attention and why is that...because he is showing some personality! It maynot be the most pleasant but at least he is not getting up there and thanking every stupid sponsor on his firesuit and talking about how great his owner is. He is there to race, not be a commercial. Keep lipping off Busch! You make Sunday racing interesting!
Sports figures get baited by reporters all the time. Look at press conferences after NBA games. That's what they do. They try to illicit a response to make for good TV. A professional, or a sane person, will just blow it off and not bring up physical violence.
Nascar is nothing like it use to be FUN... These idiots have ruined a good thing. Go to a local track and you will see this all the time but more like a punch in the mouth, and drivers fist fighting. BUT THEY FILL THE STANDS. Go back to the old way Nascar and you may fill your stands as well. Someone is always trying to put a driver in the spot light, GET REAL.. This reporter needs to get a new career and a box of kleenex, what a joke. I would love to see one of these driver just break bad on these jokers and then say that is NASCAR the old way, with a fat llip. We use to watch it but this year it is really boring and we just dont bother anymore. IT IS A PURE JOKE ANYMORE.
Car racing isn't an intellectual sport..........wha???? Name one sport that is intellectual dumazzz.
Chess.
Baseball
Are you kidding? Do you understand the technicals of car racing? Aerodynamics, gas consumption, drafting, passing, pitting, reading the other drivings psche? I could keep going. Theres so many things to racing that factors a win or a loss. Its like baseball. People think its boring but if they knew what was going on every pitch, it also requires alot of technical.
Chess
ACtually, I think racing is intellectual, at least for the crew. Beyond that, there are quite a few sports that require strategy and thought. Basketball, and bicycle racing are two sports that require either strategy or an intense understanding of plays. But in the end and overall, I would think that auto racing is one of the more intellectual sports.
Full-Contact Chess.