Kyle Busch issues statement after being parked by NASCAR

Twelve hours after meeting with NASCAR officials and learning he would be parked for the remainder of the AAA Texas 500 weekend at Texas Motor Speedway, after intentionally wrecking Ron Hornaday in Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Kyle Busch finally released a statement regarding his actions.

In an “open letter”, Busch said that sitting on the sidelines so far this weekend has offered him plenty of time to reflect on his actions, and apologized to his fans, sponsors, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing teams:

"To all,I’ve had a lot of time today to sit and reflect, and try to put my thoughts into words as best I can.I want to sincerely apologize for my actions during Friday night’s Truck Series race at Texas.I apologize to my fans, all my sponsors, everyone at Joe Gibbs Racing and Kyle Busch Motorsports.After talking with my team, it’s great to have their support and encouragement to assure me that there are better days ahead. Even though this took place while driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, I am sorry for how difficult this has been for everyone associated with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series teams.I’d also like to apologize to Ron Hornaday Jr., and everyone associated with the No. 33 team in the Truck Series.I understand why I was taken out of the car for the rest of the weekend. NASCAR officials had to act, and I accept their punishment and take full responsibility for my actions.As a racecar driver, the hardest thing to do is to sit on the sidelines listening to cars on the track when you know you should be out there competing. For this, I have no one to blame but myself.Through a lot of support from the people around me, I feel like I’ve made a lot of strides this year, but this was certainly a step backward. Moving forward, I will do everything I possibly can to represent everyone involved in a positive manner. However, I know my long-term actions will have more of a bearing than anything I say right now.Sincerely,Kyle Busch"

Although Kyle Busch has been eliminated from winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship and not eligible for the Nationwide Series driver’s title, the effects of Busch not in the car can be felt in the garage.

With Busch not competing in Saturday’s Nationwide Series event, Ford was able to clinch the manufacturer’s championship with a win from Roush-Fenway Racing’s Trevor Bayne in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Challenge at Texas Motor Speedway.

On the Sprint Cup side, Busch is now certain to finish last in the Chase for the Sprint Cup- with his struggles in NASCAR’s version of the playoffs continuing another year.

At this time, additional penalties from within Joe Gibbs Racing and from NASCAR have not been ruled out.

Stay tuned StockCarSpin.com for the latest on this developing story.