NASCAR: Kyle Busch not facing punishment after Mexico arrest
By Asher Fair
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch revealed that he was detained in Mexico for possessing a handgun, but the situation has been resolved.
Just one day after finishing in second place in his first NASCAR Cup Series race with Richard Childress Racing at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, two-time champion Kyle Busch revealed that he had somewhat of an eventful vacation a couple weeks ago.
In a statement posted to social media, Busch wrote that he and his wife Samantha had taken a trip to Mexico for several days. Upon attempting to return to the United States, he was flagged during a routine screening at the airport for having a handgun in his travel bag.
The driver of the No. 8 Chevrolet, who possesses a valid concealed carry permit, was unaware that the gun was in his bag. He was detained while the situation was being taken care of and ultimately made it back to North Carolina without any further issue.
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) February 6, 2023
Kyle Busch was not and will not be punished by NASCAR for the incident.
According to Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass, the former Joe Gibbs Racing driver made NASCAR aware of the matter within 72 hours of it all unfolding, and because nothing else came of it, there is no need for any further punishment or investigation into the matter on NASCAR’s part.
NASCAR policy is drivers and team members must make sanctioning body aware of any arrests within 72 hrs or prior to the next event if it is sooner. Busch did make NASCAR aware of detainment for having a gun in his bag in Mexico. He does not face any discipline from NASCAR. https://t.co/R8gxWOay4O
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 6, 2023
Additionally, the legal side of the issue, just as Busch indicated in his statement, is now taken care of, and he considers the issue to be closed.
While a typical jail sentence following an arrest of this nature is three and a half years, he ended up being fined roughly $1,100 before being released and allowed to return to the United States.
Reports from Mexico and a government news release say Busch was fined about $1,100. There is a 3.5 jail sentence but he was obviously allowed to leave the country.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 6, 2023
Busch is set to compete in the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 19.
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Fans may recall from last August that Busch and his family were in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, when shots were fired in the mall. So while there will naturally be some differences in opinions when it comes to any issue relating to guns, Busch having a valid concealed carry permit is hard to argue against.