Former NASCAR champion Kurt Busch arrested for DWI, reckless driving in North Carolina

Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch was arrested for DWI, reckless driving and speeding in Iredell County, North Carolina, late Tuesday night.

The 46-year-old was pulled over by police shortly after 11:30 p.m. ET in Mooresville, North Carolina, for driving 63 mph in a 45 mph zone. According to reports, Busch exhibited obvious signs of intoxication, with a "strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath” and “red glassy eyes.” When questioned, the retired NASCAR star admitted he had been drinking.

Busch’s blood alcohol level, which registered 0.17, according to reports, was more than twice the state’s legal limit of 0.08. He was released from the Iredell County Detention Center early Wednesday morning after signing a promise to appear in court on Sept. 19.

“I’m very disappointed in myself and I apologize to my family, racing family, and to my fans,” Busch said in a statement. “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 last raced in the Cup Series in the summer of 2022, finishing 10th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17. The following week, Busch suffered a concussion during a hard crash in qualifying at Pocono Raceway. He missed the remainder of the 2022 season, while dealing with concussion-related symptoms.

In October 2022, Busch announced he would not race full-time in 2023, and he officially announced his retirement on Aug. 26, 2023.

Busch began his Cup Series career in 2000 and won the season championship in 2004. He earned 34 wins during his 23-year career, with his last coming at Kansas Speedway on May 15, 2022, while driving for 23XI Racing, where he continues to have a consulting role.

The Las Vegas native is the older brother of current NASCAR driver and two-time series champion Kyle Busch.