NASCAR Champion Kurt Busch Facing DWI Charge in North Carolina

NASCAR champion Kurt Busch was arrested and charged with driving while impaired Tuesday night near Lake Norman in Iredell County, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Busch was initially stopped by a member of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office for going 63 mph in a 45-mph zone, reckless driving and on the suspicion of being impaired. The Iredell County Sheriff’s office requested assistance from the NCSHP about 11:40 p.m., a patrol report stated.

After the trooper arrived on the scene, a roadside field sobriety test was performed, and it was determined Busch was alcohol impaired. Busch was then arrested, transported to the Iredell County jail in Statesville, N.C., where he submitted to a breath test. The test showed he had a 0.17 breath alcohol concentration. The legal limit for blood alcohol content is 0.08. After appearing before a magistrate, Busch provided a written promise to appear in court.

The 46-year-old 2004 Cup Series champion Busch was charged with DWI, speeding and reckless driving. He is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 19 in Mooresville, N.C.

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