Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fined for throwing a punch at Kyle Busch after Sunday night’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race.
NASCAR announced Wednesday morning that Stenhouse had been fined $75,000 and two crew members from his team had been suspended after the altercation that followed a conversation between Stenhouse and Busch.
Busch wrecked Stenhouse on the second lap of the race after thinking Stenhouse had put him against the wall on the opening lap. Unable to get out of the North Wilkesboro infield during the race, Stenhouse waited for Busch for the rest of the race and confronted him as Busch walked back to his hauler.
In addition to Stenhouse’s fine, JTG-Daugherty Racing crew member Keith Matthews was suspended for four races for his role in the fight and crew member Clint Myrick was suspended for eight races.
Stenhouse’s father Richard has also been suspended indefinitely for involvement.
A penalty from NASCAR always seemed likely for Stenhouse, as he made it clear in interviews after his crash that he would wait to confront Busch at the end of the race. However, it’s also another contradictory message from NASCAR, given the sanctioning body’s promotion of the altercation. Just look at this post from NASCAR’s X account.
Stenhouse was also a guest on Corey LaJoie’s podcast after the fight. LaJoie’s podcast is a NASCAR production and was promoted through NASCAR’s social media channels.
At least one NASCAR driver noticed the hypocrisy.
If it’s so wrong, why is it all on NASCAR’s social channels? We should be able to show our emotions, I don’t get it… https://t.co/LKr8t4h27h
— Daniel Suarez (@Daniel_SuarezG) May 22, 2024
We suspect the friction between Busch and Stenhouse will dissipate quickly, but if this continues Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600, Richard Childress said he would get involved. In an interview Tuesday, Childress, 78, said he would take matters into his own hands if Stenhouse retaliated against Busch at the track.
Richard Childress had a message for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. when we spoke to him today ahead of the Helping A Hero Patriot Award Dinner. He says that when Ricky touches him @KyleBusch‘s 8 car at Charlotte, he’ll scream Ricky’s A$$ in person. He also wishes he had stayed to fight Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Q2GHKfVqWE
— Chris Wever (@chris8video) May 21, 2024
Stenhouse finished last in the All-Star Race and Busch was 10th. The All-Star Race does not award points and does not affect the regular season standings. Busch is currently 13th in the standings, while Stenhouse is 26th.
