CONCORD, N.C. — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fined $75,000 by NASCAR on Wednesday for fighting with Kyle Busch after the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The $75,000 fine was the largest ever imposed by NASCAR for the fight.
Stenhouse’s father, Ricky Stenhouse Sr., who joined in the fight, was suspended indefinitely. Busch was not penalized for his actions in Sunday night’s race.
The two tangled on the first lap and then Busch appeared to intentionally destroy Stenhouse on the second lap. Stenhouse parked his damaged Chevrolet in Busch’s pit stall and forcefully climbed the observer’s ladder and exchanged words with members of Busch’s crew.
Stenhouse then broke into his transport truck, leaving his car to be towed to the pits.
He predicted that he would return after the race to confront Bush. The two exchanged brief words before Stenhouse, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, landed a right hook on Bush and a melee broke out between members of the two teams. Stenhouse’s father, who has no affiliation with the team, then chased Bush, throwing punches.
On Wednesday, NASCAR also suspended Stenhouse mechanic Clint Merrick for eight races and engine tuner Keith Matthews for four races.
Stenhouse has vowed to fight back to destroy Busch on Sunday during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Bring him,” Bush replied. “I’m as bad as you,” meaning neither driver is having great seasons.
Neither driver has won a race this season. Busch is 13th in the points standings, while Stenhouse, a one-car team, is 26th.
However, the Bosch owner is not taking this threat from Stenhouse lightly. Richard Childress vowed to fight Stenhouse himself if he approached Busch’s car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest Cup Series race on the schedule, so there will be plenty of time for Busch and Stenhouse to meet up on the 1.5-mile track. No doubt, NASCAR will be keeping an eye on feuding drivers.
