NASCAR dropped the hammer on Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and his team for their role in an altercation with Kyle Busch, and their decision is receiving immense backlash.
As it stands after being announced on Wednesday morning, Stenhouse Jr. was fined, while his father and members of his team have been suspended. Meanwhile, Busch’s side has gotten off with more of a warning, it seems.
“Fight penalties: Stenhouse fined $75,000. Stenhouse team suspensions: Richard Stenhouse Sr. (indefinite), mechanic Clint Myrick (eight races), engine tuner Keith Matthews (four races),” FOX’s Bob Pockrass shared. “No penalties to Busch or his team.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was one of the first to react, “Wow, I’m surprised by the severity of all these penalties,” Earnhardt Jr. posted on social media, and now fellow wheelman Daniel Suarez is chiming in on the matter, believing that a double-standard is being set by NASCAR.
“If it’s so wrong then why is it all over NASCAR social channels?” Suarez took to X, questioning NASCAR’s decision. “We should be allowed to show our emotions, I don’t get it…”
Suarez makes a lot of sense, as NASCAR has been championing the altercation for views on their social media platforms. It certainly seems disingenuous to try and benefit from it, and then hit Stenhouse Jr.’s team with the penalty they’re receiving.
In addition to Suarez, ESPN’s Ryan McGee called out the hypocrisy in NASCAR’s fine for Stenhouse Jr. and his team, as NASCAR will certainly use video of the altercation to promote the All-Star Race when it’s time in 2025.
“This isn’t wrong,” McGee agreed, quote-posting Suarez’s message. “Do you fine a guy for the video you’re 100% going to use to promote next year’s All-Star Race?”
McGee makes a strong point. Much like the fights in NASCAR’s past, this will be used to hype up the importance of the All-Star Race, and the emotion of getting behind the wheel. If NASCAR wants to fine Stenhouse Jr. and his team, that’s all well and good, but don’t use it as a selling point for the sport moving forward.
That’s what’s rubbing Daniel Suarez, Ryan McGee and many others the wrong way, in the aftermath of NASCAR’s announcement.
Perhaps NASCAR will re-evaluate the penalties they’ve handed to Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and the No. 47 team. If they don’t, the governing body will certainly face some more backlash from drivers and fans alike, as it’s easy to see right through the punishment they’ve handed out.
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