NASCAR star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. learns his fate after sucker-punching rival Kyle Busch
NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has avoided a suspension for his shocking skirmish with Kyle Busch, in which he punched his rival last weekend after a collision during Sunday’s All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The bust occurred during the post-race fireworks after Busch wrecked Stenhouse during the second lap of the $1 million race in North Carolina and saw the latter throw a right hook at his competitor.
It caused a massive brawl with crew members from both sides and even Stenhouse’s father piled in.
Despite the explosive fight, however, Stenhouse will race this weekend at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, where he vowed to destroy Busch on Sunday after dodging a suspension from NASCAR.
However, Stenhouse has been hit with a penalty, with the racing series fining him $75,000 for breaching the member code of conduct.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of NASCAR avoided a suspension for his shocking skirmish with Kyle Busch
Stenhouse Jr. (left) waited for Busch (right) after Sunday’s race and unleashed a right hook
His father wasn’t so lucky when NASCAR issued an indefinite suspension to Ricky Stenhouse Sr., while two crew members were hit with multi-race suspensions.
No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing’s team mechanic Clint Myrick was suspended for the next eight Cup Series races for his role, and team tuner Keith Matthews was suspended for the next four Cup Series events.
Busch will not face any sanctions.
The argument was caused by Stenhouse’s apparent anger at Busch over their run-up on the second lap, which led to the former crashing into the wall after the rear of his car was bumped by the latter’s.
An upset Stenhouse pulled his wrecked car through the pit lane and parked in Busch’s pit stall, got out and climbed a ladder to yell at Busch’s crew, but things were just getting started.
In addition to Stenhouse’s sudden right hook to Busch’s left cheek, the elder Stenhouse also got into the action by wrestling his son’s bitter rival.
Stenhouse releases a hook on Busch, which appeared to connect with the driver’s face
Ricky Stenhouse Sr. (in gray) is pictured attacking Kyle Busch (far left) after the crash
Stenhouse Jr.’s No. 47 car. wrecked after colliding with Busch’s car on the first lap
Stenhouse said he was tired of Busch “talking his mouth about me” after wrecking him at Daytona in the past.
“I know he’s frustrated because he’s not running as well as he used to,” Stenhouse said after the race.
Joey Logano dominated the short track at North Wilkesboro Speedway, leading all but one of the 200 laps, winning his second All-Star Race on Sunday night and earning $1 million.
Logano started on pole after setting the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday and was never really challenged. He set a record by completing more laps than any driver in the race’s 40-year history.