What would you do for a million dollars?
In Kyle Busch’s case, the answer was take anyone out who stood in his way … even if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.
Busch has always been seen as an aggressive driver. To that end, his nickname, Rowdy, is apt. And although the days of Busch throwing down with Cup Series stalwarts seems to be a distant memory, it came back to life on Sunday, coaxed by JTG-Daugherty talent Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
The 2023 Daytona 500 winner had some strong comments to offer Busch following their collision in the early moments of Sunday’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro. When words failed Stenhouse, he responded with his fists, attempting to land a pair of looping shots toward the two-time Cup Series winner.
It was a score that took hours to answer. And yet, the response came in mere seconds.
Here’s the background on the scuffle that got the racing world talking on Sunday night.
MORE: Joey Logano wins gold, $1 million prize at NASCAR All-Star Race
Kyle Busch-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fight video
The immediate spark for Sunday’s kerfuffle came when Busch sent Stenhouse twirling into the wall during Lap 2 of the All-Star Race. Busch appeared aggrieved by a perceived slight against him by Stenhouse, who he believed moved him into the wall in the race’s early moments.
Caution on Lap 2. 👀 pic.twitter.com/6hix2jAvcj
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 20, 2024
Whether that actually happened is up for debate. A closer examination appeared to show that Stenhouse didn’t do all that much to displace Busch. Stenhouse was adamant that he hadn’t made contact with Busch, let alone sent him into the barrier.
Nevertheless, Busch was not pleased. Within seconds, he delivered a crunching blow to Stenhouse’s left back bumper. Stenhouse struck the wall with force, leaving his car’s innards strewn across the track.
Stenhouse immediately took exception to Busch’s move. These are experienced, high-level drivers. They know when they’ve been dumped. And as Stenhouse limped his car towards pit road for inspection, he decided to make a statement … by not saying anything.
Stenhouse parked his chariot of fire right in Busch’s pit stall with the caution flag out. He then made his way past Busch’s pit crew and towards his race box, firing some additional barbs at anyone who would hear them.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. isn’t happy with Kyle Busch. #HotPass pic.twitter.com/G4I7HxsHIz
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 20, 2024
Stenhouse vowed vengeance during his post-ride interviews.
“Parked my car in a pit box, I figured he would do something like that,” Stenhouse said while speaking with Fox Sports’ Jamie Little. “Maybe Richard will hold my watch after the race.”
Speaking with a pool of reporters after his premature exit, Stenhouse made a similar claim.
“I told Randall [Burnett, Busch’s crew chief] that he can tell Kyle that I’ll see him afterwards,” Stenhouse said. “I’ll handle it.”
When queried on just how he planned to take care of the situation, Stenhouse was coy.
“You can just watch afterwards,” Stenhouse said.
All of it set up for an enthralling interaction between the two former Xfinity Series champions. Following Busch’s run — he raced to a 10th-place finish on Sunday night — the two met under the lights. Stenhouse categorically denied sending Busch into the wall. Busch told him to rewatch the race.
Then, fireworks. Stenhouse attempted to land a punishing hook towards Busch’s noggin. He didn’t have much success — Busch is 6-1 compared to Stenhouse’s 5-10 frame. Nevertheless, he might’ve made some contact with a part of Busch’s shoulder.
Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fight after the All-Star Race. pic.twitter.com/IJMttBw90W
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) May 20, 2024
Theatrics predictably followed, with bodies flooding into the area to separate the two.
Speaking with media before he and Stenhouse swapped fisticuffs, Busch explained his view on the collision that sparked the whole incident in the first place.
“It’s the first lap of the race, we don’t even have water temp in the car yet and we’re wrecking each other off of [Turn] 2,” Busch said. “I’m tired of getting run over by everybody. But that’s what everybody does. Everybody runs over everybody to pass everybody.”
After the dust settled, Stenhouse gave a more detailed description of his view on the Busch issue while speaking with Little.
“I felt like Kyle and I have always raced each other really hard, you know, back to the Nationwide Series when we were competing for wins week-in and week-out and never had any issues,” Stenhouse said. “And then, I wrecked him one time at Daytona and he’s kinda bad-mouthed me ever since then.
“Definitely built-up frustration with how he runs his mouth all the time about myself. I know he’s frustrated because he doesn’t run near as good as he used to. I understand that. We’re a single-car team over here. We’re working really hard to go out and get better each and every weekend. We had a really good game plan coming in … and he ruined it.”
When asked what his next plans were in his verbal and physical joust with the Richard Childress Racing star, Stenhouse was light-hearted.
“I don’t have anything else for him,” Stenhouse said. “If we want to do a charity match, I would do that. Raise some money for the NASCAR Foundation or something, that would be fun. But really, other than that, I don’t have a whole lot for him.”
NASCAR did not hold back its punishment for Stenhouse and his side. The organization suspended him indefinitely and fined the driver $75,000 for starting the altercation.
NASCAR issues penalties from the Ricky Stenhouse Jr./Kyle Busch fight:
— Stenhouse Jr. $75k fine
— Stenhouse Sr. suspended indefinitely
— JTG mechanic Clint Myrick suspended eight races
— JTG tuner Keith Matthews suspended four races
— No penalties for Kyle Busch— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) May 22, 2024
In addition, JTG mechanic Clint Myrick is suspended for eight races, while JTG tuner Keith Matthews has a four-race ban.
The biggest note to mention is there is no fine or suspension for Busch. While he may have been involved int he fisticuffs, NASCAR did not feel as though his actions warranted any penalties.
