With 34 NASCAR Cup Series wins to his name, former champion Kurt Busch is no stranger to the limelight. However, having retired from full-time racing in 2022, the brother of two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch had seemingly strolled off into the sunset.

Unfortunately, Busch has now made headlines once again, and it’s not for a reason he’d have hoped for. Reports suggest he was arrested by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Tuesday night for driving while impaired. 

Details released so far allege Busch was found to be traveling at 63 mph in a 45 mph zone and was driving recklessly at the time. Having been pulled over, a trooper reportedly suspected Busch was under the influence and decided to perform a roadside sobriety test. This determined Busch was impaired by alcohol, and he was subsequently arrested and transported to the Iredell County Jail.

After arriving at the jail, Busch was required to undertake a breath test, which reportedly confirmed he registered a .17 breath alcohol concentration. For context, this is more than double the legal limit in the state of North Carolina As such, he was taken before a magistrate, having been charged with driving while impaired. Subsequently, Busch also received charges for speeding and reckless driving.

Busch will attend a court hearing on 19th September in Mooresville. He has since released a statement, noting, “I'm very disappointed in myself, and I apologize to my family, my racing family, and my fans. I will work with the authorities to rectify the situation and work with the country to make it a safer place in the future”.