Kurt Busch has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after a court ruled against him in a case of domestic violence. 

On Friday, a Delaware family court ruled Busch "committed an act of domestic violence" against ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll in an incident in September last year at Dover International Speedway, where she suffered "bruising and substantial and prolonged pain to her head, neck and throat".

A protection order against Busch was granted on Monday preventing him from having any contact with Driscoll.

Busch must also stay at least 100 yards away from Driscoll except at NASCAR races or other large events.

In the wake of the court ruling, NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell faced the media and released the following statement: "NASCAR has made it very clear to our entire membership and the broader industry that any actions of abuse will not be tolerated in the industry.

"I want to make it clear that any inference that there is a culture or tolerance for this type of behaviour is patently false."

NASCAR's decision means Busch will miss stock-car racing's most prestigious race, the Daytona 500 on Sunday.

Busch's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, announced plans to appeal the ruling.

"We assure everyone, including NASCAR, that this action against Mr Busch will turn out to be a travesty of justice, apparent to all, as this story continues to unfold," he said in a statement. 

"We ask everyone's patience as this case continues in the court of law and are confident that when the truth is known Mr. Busch will be fully vindicated and back in the driver's seat."

Regan Smith has been named as Busch's replacement for Stewart-Haas in Sunday's race, and the team confirmed Smith will remain in the driver's seat regardless of any appeal from Busch.