Former Sprint Cup champion Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for “actions detrimental to stock car racing” and will not be allowed to race on the sport’s biggest stage, the Daytona 500.

A statement released by NASCAR said the following:

“Given the serious nature of the findings and conclusions made by the Commissioner of the Family Court of the State of Delaware, NASCAR has indefinitely suspended driver Kurt Busch, effective immediately.


He will not be allowed to race nor participate in any NASCAR activities until further notice.

“Kurt Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing team are fully aware of our position and why this decision was made. We will continue to respect the process and timetable of the authorities involved.”

After this announcement Stewart-Haas Racing decided to put Regan Smith, a regular in the Xfinity Series with JR Motorsports and veteran of 172 Sprint Cup starts, behind the wheel of the No. 41 Haas CNC Chevrolet.

Smith has one win in his Sprint Cup career, coming in 2011 at Darlington in the Southern 500.

"We are extremely disappointed that NASCAR has suspended Kurt Busch and we plan an immediate appeal," said Rusty Hardin, Busch's attorney in a statement. "We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr. Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold.

Busch and Stewart-Haas Racing plan to appeal NASCAR’s decision to indefinitely suspend the 2004 Sprint Cup champion.

According to a NASCAR spokesman, a hearing is set for Saturday.