Steve Addington quits as Kurt Busch’s crew chief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Penske Racing says Kurt Busch’s crew chief has left the organization.

Steve Addington has been with Busch the last two seasons. He is the second crew chief in three years to split with the 2004 NASCAR champion.

Penske Racing President Tim Cindric confirmed Addington is leaving Tuesday, and wished the crew chief well in the future.

Although the split had been rumored for months, Addington had repeatedly declined to discuss his future with Busch or address speculation he planned to go to work for three-time champion Tony Stewart in 2012.

News he was leaving came the same day a video shot by a fan emerged on YouTube of Busch being verbally abusive to a reporter during Sunday’s season-finale race at Homestead.

NASCAR called Busch’s language in the video “disappointing.”