CONCORD, NC — 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 fighting.
Stenhouse's father, Ricky Stenhouse Sr., who joined the fight, was suspended indefinitely. Busch was not penalized for his actions in Sunday night's race.
The two tangled in the first lap and then Busch appeared to deliberately destroy Stenhouse in the second lap. Stenhouse parked his damaged Chevrolet in Busch's pit stall and aggressively climbed the spotter ladder and exchanged words with members of Busch's crew.
Stenhouse then stormed to his truck and let his car be towed to the pits.
It foreshadowed that he would return after the race to face Busch. The two exchanged brief words before Stenhouse, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, landed a right hook on Busch and a hand-to-hand fight broke out involving members of both teams. Stenhouse's father, who has no affiliation with the team, then chased Busch, throwing punches at him.
NASCAR on Wednesday also suspended Stenhouse mechanic Clint Myrick for eight races and engine tuner Keith Matthews for four races.
Stenhouse in the fight promised to destroy Busch this Sunday during the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“Bring it,” Busch responded. “I suck as much as you,” implying that both drivers are not having great seasons.
Neither driver has won a race this season. Busch is 13th in the points standings, and Stenhouse, a one-car team, is 26th.
However, the owner of Busch's car is not taking that threat from Stenhouse lightly. Richard Childress vowed to fight Stenhouse himself if he comes close to Busch's car at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The Coca-Cola 600 is the longest Cup race on the schedule, so there will be plenty of time for Busch and Stenhouse to meet at the 1.5-mile track. NASCAR will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on the drivers in contention.
