Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has been 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 of his team’s crew members had been suspended after the fight that followed a conversation between Stenhouse and Busch.
Busch picked off Stenhouse on the second lap of the race after thinking Stenhouse had slammed him into the wall on the first lap. With no tunnel out of North Wilkesboro’s infield while the race was going on, Stenhouse waited for Busch for the rest of the race and faced him as Busch walked back to his carrier.
In addition to Stenhouse’s fine, JTG-Daugherty Racing team member Keith Matthews was suspended for four races for his role in the fight and team member Clint Myrick was suspended for eight races.
Stenhouse’s father, Richard, has also been suspended indefinitely for involvement.
A NASCAR punishment for Stenhouse always seemed likely, as he made it clear in interviews after his accident that he was going to wait to face Busch at the end of the race. However, it’s also another mixed message from NASCAR given the sanctioning body’s promotion of the altercation. Just take a look at this post from NASCAR account X.
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 bad, why is it all over NASCAR’s social channels? We should be able to show our emotions, I don’t understand… https://t.co/LKr8t4h27h
— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) May 22, 2024
We’re guessing the friction between Busch and Stenhouse will dissipate soon, but if it continues into Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, Richard Childress said he’d get involved. In an interview Tuesday, Childress, 78, said he would take matters into his own hands if Stenhouse tries to retaliate on the track against Busch.
Richard Childress had a message for Ricky Stenhouse Jr when we spoke to him today before the Helping A Hero Patriot awards dinner. He says if Ricky plays @KyleBuschIn Charlotte’s #8 car, he will personally shout Ricky’s A$$. He also wishes he had stayed to fight on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Q2GHKfVqWE
—Chris Weaver (@chris8video) May 21, 2024
Stenhouse finished last in the All-Star Race and Busch was tenth. The All-Star Race pays no points and has no bearing on regular season standings. Busch is currently 13th in the standings, while Stenhouse is 26th.