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Busch was also placed on probation for the rest of the year for "actions detrimental."
"I will always protect myself and my race team," Spencer said. "We are going to appeal the penalty, and we are going to do so in accordance to the NASCAR rulebook."
Busch went to MIS's infield care center after the altercation and was seen by his own doctor in North Carolina Monday.
"I have swelling on the left side of my face that is not expected to heal for three months," Busch said. "My breathing has been affected, and although it will not affect my ability to race, it will make breathing with a helmet on more uncomfortable."
Busch, as do the vast majority of NASCAR drivers, typically wears a full-face helmet while racing.
"I have been told that there is some tissue damage, and that there is a 15 percent chance that I will require reconstructive surgery to repair the damage," Busch said. "That assessment will not be made until the swelling dissipates."
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| Jimmy Spencer won't be behind the wheel at Bristol this weekend -- in any Series. Credit: Autostock |
The penalties are a particularly bitter pill for Spencer to swallow, as he was one of only two drivers -- the other being Kevin Harvick -- that was entered to compete in all three events this week at the half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway.
Bristol is one of Spencer's favorite racing venues, where he's scored two Busch Series wins.
Ironically, at the spring 2002 Bristol event the current chapter of Spencer and Busch disagreements began. The pair swapped body slams in that race and Busch, after knocking Spencer aside, went on to win.
Later that summer, Spencer ran into Busch at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and caused him to crash, an event he said was inadvertent.
Roush Racing also issued additional statements from Busch, owner Jack Roush and team president Geoff Smith, who said that Busch underwent surgery in December to correct a deviated septum.
Smith acknowledged that the Lenawee County (Mich.) Sheriff's Department had initiated an investigation separate from NASCAR's on Sunday, and a decision to prosecute Spencer legally would come from them.
"We want to point out that only the Lenawee County District Attorney has the legal authority to press criminal charges against Jimmy Spencer for this assault," Smith said. "That decision does not reside in the hands of Kurt Busch, Jack Roush or any private citizen.
"That's the way the criminal justice system works and we all need to respect that process."
Busch explained his side of the incident, and admitted to exchanging words with Spencer, which concurred with statements from other witnesses in the garage.
"I ran out of gas when I got into the garage area, and Jimmy Spencer ran into the back of my car," Busch said. "I was still in the car when he approached me with obvious anger.
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| Jack Roush expressed dismay at Busch's probation. Credit: Autostock |
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"Words were exchanged, but I was still strapped in my seat with my helmet off when he struck me in the face. He broke my tooth and bloodied my nose."
Roush expressed dismay at Busch's being placed on probation and vowed action.
"It is incomprehensible to me that NASCAR used this incident to place Kurt Busch on probation," Roush said. "Drivers, as do others in the garage, often exchange heated words, and in my memory no one has ever been penalized for words spoken in private to one another.
"We intend to promptly file an appropriate appeal against this penalty, although we have learned that the merits of an argument carry little weight in this particular form of appeal."
Roush Racing last season unsuccessfully appealed a penalty to Mark Martin and his No. 6 Viagra Ford team in the stretch run of Martin's battle with Tony Stewart for the Winston Cup championship.
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