Kurt Busch arrested, facing DWI and reckless driving charges

Former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch was arrested earlier this week for DWI, according to the Iredell Free News. He is also facing charges of careless and reckless driving, as well as speeding.

Busch was pulled over at approx. 11:30 p.m. on Monday after his car was clocked at 63 miles per hour in a 45mph zone in North Carolina’s Iredell County. A deputy said Busch had “red glassy eyes” and a “strong odor of alcohol coming from his breaths,” court records obtained by the Iredell Free News showed. He also admitted to drinking before driving.

Busch’s blood-alcohol concentration came in at 0.17, which was higher than the 0.08 legal limit. He was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center and released in the early morning hours on Tuesday morning. A court appearance is set for Sept. 19.

After news broke of his arrest, Busch released a statement. He said he’s working with authorities on next steps and apologized to his fans, friends and family.

“I’m very disappointed in myself and I apologize to my family, my racing family, and to my fans,” Busch said. “I will work with the authorities to rectify the situation and work with the county to make it a safer place in the future.”

More on Kurt Busch, life after NASCAR

Busch announced his retirement from NASCAR in August 2023 after a decorated career. He totaled 34 races and joined his brother Kyle as the winningest brothers in NASCAR history. Busch also won the 2000 Rookie of the Year award.

In 2004, Busch reached the mountaintop. He won the Nextel Cup Series thanks to a run of four straight victories, and he became the second driver to ever win both races in New Hampshire in a single season. It was one of the great seasons in NASCAR history, and it was just one part of Busch’s legendary career, which also included a Daytona 500 win in 2017.

His career was cut short due to injuries sustained in 2022 at Pocono. After he announced his retirement, Busch was recognized at the NASCAR Awards in December and got emotional as the tributes came in.

Now in retirement, Busch still has a relationship with 23XI Racing. He’s also made his way around the world, from F1 races to Isle of Man and even Chicago Cubs games. Ahead of the Chicago Street Race earlier this year, he sang the Seventh Inning Stretch at Wrigley Field.