AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR should have seen this coming. Young guys are driving race cars with alcohol companies on the hood.

It's miraculous it took this long for one of them to have an alcohol-related incident off the track.

Kurt Busch was free Sunday to join Terrell Owens on the short list of star athletes whose services are no longer required.

Owens' only problem is a big mouth. Busch has other issues.

The reigning Nextel Cup champion, for one more week, was suspended and released Sunday by Roush Racing for the final two races.

"It's unfortunate," Busch told NBC. "But it's a decision they made and I'll live with it."

When one of your sponsors is Crown Royal and you are suspected of drunken driving, expect the worst. Kenny Wallace replaced Busch in the No. 97 Ford.

"It was the last straw," said Roush Racing president Geoff Smith. "We are officially retiring as Kurt Busch apologists."

Busch was taken into custody Friday night on suspicion of drunken driving. He may have escaped that charge on a technicality.

Busch received a reckless driving citation and was released after a Breathalyzer test machine malfunctioned.

Jack Roush said Saturday he didn't plan to punish Busch. That changed Sunday after he spoke with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

And officials for Diageo, the parent company of Crown Royal, had no intentions of letting Busch drive a car with their name on it.

"They felt the embarrassment," Roush said. "We're embarrassed for all of the NASCAR community."

NASCAR officials took no action. Roush and Diageo did it for them.

Crown Royal announced this week it would become the primary sponsor for the 97 Ford next year. The good news is Busch won't be driving it. Jamie McMurray takes over in 2006.

Busch is replacing the retiring Rusty Wallace at Penske Racing South. Everyone knows the sponsor of the No. 2 Dodge — Miller Lite.

"I'm sure Rusty's concerned," said Kenny Wallace, his older brother. "And you have wonder what Miller Brewing is thinking."

Roger Penske defended Busch: "We support him 100 percent. This will get worked out."

Roush spent time Sunday morning with Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Lt. Paul Chagolla, who stopped Busch.

"A lot of things came to light," Roush said.

Chagolla said Busch was pulled over after almost hitting another car while driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone. The Arizona Republic reported that Busch asked Chagolla, "Do you know who I am? You ought to be directing traffic."

The officer smelled alcohol on Busch's breath and asked him to take a field sobriety test. Busch refused. He was taken to a sheriff's location on the Phoenix International Raceway grounds, where the Breathalyzer device failed.

But Smith said Busch still violated the morals clause of his contract. And Busch isn't free to drive for another team next weekend.

"We believe the arresting officer," Smith said. "There was an (alcohol) presence while driving. It's probably a higher standard of behavior required for a driver who has an alcohol company as a sponsor."

Beer companies have been in NASCAR for decades, but NASCAR allowed distilled spirits companies to sponsor cars for the first time this year.

Most race telecasts have commercials about driving responsibly. Busch is part of Crown Royal's new program called "Safe Rides Home."

Busch was in his motor coach Friday evening before driving a car outside the track. Why not just rent a limo?

Roush Racing has endured problems with Busch's behavior in the past. The 27-year-old from Las Vegas has a history of trouble with drivers and NASCAR officials on and off the track. But he was the model of decorum this season. Until now.

Busch ranked eighth in the Chase before Sunday, but he's locked in to a top-10 finish in the standings as one of the Chase qualifiers.

He will walk onstage Dec. 2 at the annual awards banquet at New York, which is shown live on ESPN. Busch will receive his 10th-place bonus check and thank his sponsors.

Crown Royal might ask him to leave its name out of it.