Ricky Stenhouse Jr. hit with record fine for All-Star Race scrap
NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
It might take two to tango when it comes to NASCAR fights, but as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. just learned, sometimes only one driver gets punished.
Stenhouse Jr. is suffering through a fairly miserable season for JTG Daugherty Racing, but he made headlines outside the usual racing media thanks to his post-race fight with Kyle Busch after the May 19 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Though the beef between the two drivers began on the track during the race's first two laps, it didn't end there. Stenhouse Jr. waited for Busch to finish his night and confronted him afterward, throwing one big right hand before others quickly jumped in, including crew members and Stenhouse's father.
Because of the premeditated nature of the brawl, there was widespread speculation that Stenhouse Jr. may receive a suspension that would cause him to miss Cup Series races. NASCAR decided against that, but did hit him with a $75,000 fine — which is the largest fine the governing body has ever levied for a fight, per the AP.
Others received discipline as well. Two of Stenhouse's crew members received multi-race suspensions, while Stenhouse's father was suspended indefinitely, a punishment in line with the one given to the father of Nick Sanchez when he became part of a fight after a Truck Series race last fall.
One notable person escaped consequences of any kind: Busch, who arguably was the catalyst since it appeared he wrecked Stenhouse on purpose on lap 2 of the All-Star Race. NASCAR clearly sees a difference between heat-of-the-moment emotion on a relatively low speed track and waiting around hours after crashing out to take a swing at a fellow competitor.
The question now is whether the fine will be a deterrent from any further bad blood between the two drivers, who have tangled before without it coming to fisticuffs. Stenhouse Jr. suggested during their scuffle that he would look to wreck Busch in this weekend's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, but perhaps being lighter in the wallet will change his mind about that.
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