UPDATE: Prosecutors: No charges for NASCAR driver Kurt Busch

Delaware prosecutors say they will not file criminal charges against NASCAR driver Kurt Busch following allegations of domestic violence by his ex-girlfriend.
    
NASCAR officials indefinitely suspended Busch last month after a Delaware Family Court judge said the former champion almost surely choked and beat Patricia Driscoll inside his motorhome at Dover International Speedway last fall.
    
But the Delaware attorney general’s office said Thursday that there was not enough evidence to bring criminal charges.

Carl Kanefsky, public information officer for the Delaware DOJ, says, “After a thorough consideration of all of the available information about the case, it is determined that the admissible evidence and available witnesses would likely be insufficient to meet the burden of establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Busch committed a crime during the September 26th incident.”
    
Driscoll said Busch assaulted her in September after she drove from her Maryland home to Dover to check on him after receiving a series of disturbing texts.

In a statement to 47 ABC, Driscoll’s attorney, Carolyn McNeice says, “Patricia and I are very disappointed that Kurt will not be prosecuted for the abusive acts he committed in September. The AG’s decision, however, only makes the Order that we received for Protection from Abuse that much more important.”

She added, “As you can see, in some cases, this is the only protection the victim will get.  This civil no contact order is a critical tool for protecting victims.”
    
Busch and his attorneys have portrayed Driscoll as a scorned woman who set out to destroy Busch’s career after he ended their relationship.

Also in a statement to 47 ABC, Busch says he is “grateful that the prosecutors in Delaware listened, carefully considered the evidence, and after a thorough investigation decided to not file criminal charges against me.”

He added, “I wish to thank my family, friends, fans, and race team who stood by me throughout this nightmare with their unwavering support.  As I have said from the beginning, I did not commit domestic abuse.  I look forward to being back in racing as soon as possible and moving on with my life.”

47 ABC reached out to NASCAR officials about whether or not the decision will impact Busch’s suspension, but we are still waiting to hear back.