Kurt Busch's appeal to re-open protective order hearing denied

Kurt Busch's appeal to reopen a hearing for a protective order granted to former girlfriend Patricia Driscoll was denied Tuesday by Kent County (Delaware) Family Court Commissioner David Jones.

Last month, Jones ruled in favor of Driscoll's request for a no-contact order, which requires that for the next year Busch must stay 100 yards away from Driscoll except for "at NASCAR races and related events where closer proximity is required" for Busch to "perform his duties as a driver or sponsored athlete." Also, Busch can't buy or possess firearms or ammunition for the next year and must be evaluated for "mental health problems related to anger control and impulse control."

Busch's attorneys appealed the order, saying they had additional witnesses to present, but Jones denied the request, saying there wasn't enough new evidence to change the outcome of the case.

The no-contact order stems from a disagreement Busch and Driscoll had that took place on Sept. 26, 2014, two nights before the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway.

Driscoll alleged that after an argument, Busch smashed her face three times into a bedroom wall inside Busch's motorcoach. Busch has repeatedly and emphatically denied the charges, saying he cupped her face and told her she had to leave, and that in the process the back of her head "tapped" the wall of his bedroom.

Busch was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR on Feb. 20 after Jones' ruling in favor of Driscoll, but NASCAR reinstated him last week, shortly after the Delaware Department of Justice said Busch would not face criminal charges in the case. (RIGHT: Busch duels Kevin Harvick for the lead in his first race back at Phoenix.)

• Fresh start: Kurt Busch scores a fifth-place finish in first race back

During an interview with FOX's Chris Myers last Sunday, Busch again denied any wrongdoing.

"Domestic violence is a serious issue," Busch told Myers. "The next step is the worst problem with that is when you're falsely accused of it. It hurts the real victims. That's what I have to say to that."

"The protection from abuse order gave me a sense of safety, and I'm greatly relieved that the court reaffirmed my account and upheld it," Driscoll said in a statement released Tuesday.

Originally on FOXSports.com