Prosecutors: No criminal charge for NASCAR driver Kurt Busch

DOVER, Del. – NASCAR driver Kurt Busch will not face criminal charges over claims by his ex-girlfriend that he smashed her head into a bedroom wall and choked her, Delaware prosecutors said Thursday.

The decision by the state attorney general’s office ends the criminal investigation of Busch, known in NASCAR circles as “The Outlaw,” over allegations by Patricia Driscoll, whom Busch’s attorneys portrayed as a scorned woman who tried to destroy Busch’s career after he ended their relationship.

State prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

In a statement, Busch thanked prosecutors for carefully considering the evidence and his supporters for standing by him “throughout this nightmare.”

“As I have said from the beginning, I did not commit domestic abuse,” Busch said. “I look forward to being back in racing as soon as possible.”

Driscoll said in a statement she was disappointed that “full justice” was not served.

NASCAR officials indefinitely suspended Busch last month after a Delaware Family Court commissioner granted Driscoll a “protection from abuse”, or no-contact, order, saying Busch more than likely choked and beat her inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway last fall.

Busch lost two rounds of appeals for reinstatement before the season-opening Daytona 500 and has missed the first two races of the season. A NASCAR spokesman said Thursday that Busch is participating in the reinstatement program.