For the second time in his Sprint Cup Series career, an off-track issue has cost Kurt Busch his job.

Busch will not return next season to drive Penske Racing’s No. 22 Dodge. An official announcement came Monday, worded to sound like it was a mutual parting of the ways.

Just over a week ago NASCAR fined Busch $50,000 for the use of an obscene gesture and a profanity-laced tirade directed toward a media member during the Cup series finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The incident with ESPN reporter Dr. Jerry Punch, which took place in the garage after Busch’s car broke its transmission, was caught on video and posted on YouTube.

At the time, Penske Racing officials issued a statement saying they were reviewing the matter internally.

In November 2005, less than one year after winning his first Cup series championship, Busch was fired by Roush Fenway Racing after he was cited for criminal recklessness in Avondale, Ariz., in what police described as an alcohol-related incident.

Busch sat out the remaining two races of the 2005 season. He began driving for team owner Roger Penske in the 2006 season.

Since joining Penske, Busch has won 10 races and his highest finish in the series standings was fourth in 2009.

This decision comes very late in the year and puts both Busch and Penske in a difficult position.

As the old saying goes, ” you’ve made your bed, now lie in it!”

Kurt says he’s seeing a sports psychologist to try and get his act together.

There are no quality rides currently available for next season for Busch to pursue, and no drivers with a resume on the track similar to Busch’s available for Penske to hire.

Kurt’s younger brother Kyle was also fined late in the NASCAR Sprint Cup season for unsportsmanlike conduct for wrecking Ron Hornaday in the truck race in Texas.

ET

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