Busch Sentenced to Community Service

[FutureStang]

PHOENIX -- Kurt Busch was ordered Wednesday to perform 50 hours of community service as part of a plea agreement over a reckless driving citation he received near Phoenix International Raceway.

His lawyer, Lee Stein, said his client admitted to speeding, a misdemeanor, and two civil citations: following too closely and passing in a no-passing zone. In exchange, the reckless driving charge was dropped. The community service must be completed within a year, Stein said. Busch also paid $580 in court fines.

Busch was stopped in suburban Tolleson in November after allegedly running a stop sign while speeding. A police report said the deputy smelled alcohol on Busch, and the driver became belligerent. A breath test showed Busch was far below the legal limit for DUI.

Busch said he was returning from dinner with his fiancee.

"You're only doing this because you're a Jeff Gordon fan," Busch was quoted as saying to the officer in a police report.

Busch later apologized for being "disrespectful."

The traffic stop came the night before the Checker Auto Parts 500 at the Phoenix track. As a result of his run-in, Busch was suspended from the final two NASCAR races of the season by his former team.