Busch, the NASCAR points leader, had his driver's license suspended for 45 days after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to speeding and no contest reckless and careless driving in a May 24 speeding incident, The Associated Press reports. The plea didn't keep Busch's attorney Cliff Homesley from taking umbrage with the sentence, which also included a $1,000 fine, 30 hours of community service and a year of unsupervised probation.
The speeding violation should be handled lightly, Homesley argued, because Busch is a professional.
"That automobile, in his hands, was like a scalpel in the hands of a surgeon," Homesley said, "not a knife in the hands of a 5-year-old."
Homesley did not argue that his client wasn't speeding, but rather that Busch is one of the best drivers in the world and that "he had full control of that vehicle at all times."
It would be interesting to see this type of defense carry over to other crimes.
"My client was caught dealing prescription drugs on the street, your honor, but it's OK; He's a pharmacist."
"My client indeed tried to hack into a government database to steal hundreds of people's Social Security numbers, your honor, but don't worry. He's a computer programmer."
"My client shot at those people eight times, your honor, but come one, he wasn't going to actually hit any of them. After all, he owns a shooting range."
Busch is a favorite whipping boy of racing enthusiasts, so for some NASCAR purists, this might be just another reason to dislike him. Personally, I've been a big fan of Busch ever since his first visit to Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine in 2005. He's impetuous, for sure, but he made his Craftsman Truck Series debut at 16 and he's still just 26; who isn't a hothead at that age?
Showing a little more maturity than his lawyer, Busch sounded like he'd learned his lesson after his court appearance.
"We've had a lot of people stand behind me and we've gone through this is as diligent as we could, as respectful as we could," Busch said, "and that's why I am here today in person to do it myself and to accept responsibility for my actions."
