IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch faces charges in Iredell County after authorities say he was driving drunk on Tuesday.
Busch, 46, was stopped near the intersection of Brawley School Road and Chuckwood Road in Iredell County around 11:40 p.m. on Tuesday by the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NC SHP).
Troopers say Busch was stopped for driving 63 mph in a 45 mph zone, reckless driving, and suspicion of being impaired.
A sobriety test was given to Busch and showed he had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.17, more than double the legal limit of .08.
Busch was arrested and placed in custody at the Iredell County jail. He was released with a written promise to appear in court, according to NC SHP. His next court date in the case is scheduled for Sept. 19.
Charges for speeding and reckless driving are being handled by the Iredell County Sheriff's Office, according to NC SHP. The sheriff's office has not responded to a request for comment.
"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.”
Busch won 34 NASCAR Cup Series races in his 23-year career and was the 2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion. He retired from racing in 2023.
He was also arrested for DUI and reckless driving in 2005 in Arizona.