Who Is Kurt Busch’s Ex-Wife Ashley Van Metre?

Van Metre, a former competitive polo player and brand ambassador for clothing manufacturer US Polo Assn., began hanging out with Busch in 2014 after her sister introduced them. Their burgeoning relationship quickly revved into high gear with their engagement in June 2015, according to US Magazine. The once happy couple were married just seven months later in St. Barts in an intimate ceremony, featuring Aerosmith’s frontman Steven Tyler and only 40 of their closest friends and family. In an interview with Southern Bride in 2017, Van Metre said, “It felt like we had known each other forever. It truly was love at first sight.”  

After tying the knot with Busch in January 2017, Van Metre filed for divorce in a Florida court in May 2022, saying Busch “committed a tortious act.” While specific details are limited, generally speaking, a marital tort is an action or omission that, whether negligent or intentional, causes injury or harm to another person — in this case, a spouse against a spouse — and amounts to a civil wrong for which courts impose liability. In the context of torts, Cornell Law School defines "injury" as the invasion of any legal right, whereas "harm" describes a loss or detriment in fact that an individual suffers.

At the time of the filing, according to E! News, Van Metre claimed that Busch “cut off her access to their joint banking account, credit cards and all other forms of support” before he “demanded she leave the family home by the first week in June, even though he has another home in which he can reside."

While Van Metre’s attorneys did not respond to any correspondence attempts, shortly following the announcement that Busch and Van Metre were going their separate ways, Busch released a public statement to E! News.

"I am heartbroken to confirm that my wife Ashley and I are working to dissolve our marriage," he said. "Divorce is a personal and private matter, and I hope our privacy will be respected."

Following her split from Busch, if Instagram provides even a remotely accurate portrayal of people, Van Metre remained single for a short stint of time before she was struck by Cupid’s arrow again. Her new beau is a gentleman named Benjamin Larsen.