Busch speaks out over post-race incident

Busch claims that his face remains swollen and his breathing affected as a result of a blow to the face he received from Jimmy Spencer in the garage area after the race had finished.

"I ran out of gas when I got into the garage area, and Jimmy Spencer ran into the back of my car," he said. "I was still in the car when he approached me with obvious anger. Words were exchanged, but I was still strapped in my seat with my helmet off when he struck me in the face. He broke my tooth and bloodied my nose.

"I have been concerned by media comments characterising Jimmy's involvement with me as a rivalry, duel or fight, all which carry a connotation that I actively participate in this type of behaviour. Our racing Sunday was hard and clean."

Spencer was suspended, fined $25,000, and put on probation the rest of the year over the incident. Busch, meanwhile, was also put on probation. Both have appealed. NASCAR has announced that Spencer's appeal will be heard later today at Bristol.

Busch's team owner Jack Roush said: "It is incomprehensible to me that NASCAR used this incident to place Kurt Busch on probation. His only involvement in the altercation was to be the recipient of a blow struck by an individual twice his size.

"We intend to promptly file an appropriate appeal against this penalty, although we have learned that the merits of an argument carry little weight in this particular form of appeal. On the other hand, I think that NASCAR's sanctions on Jimmy Spencer should be enough to give a sobering pause to any driver or other individual that might think the halo of competition can conceal an assault on any individual, whether on or off the race track."