CONCORD, NC – Chase Elliott criticized NASCAR for fining driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. $75,000 for punching Kyle Busch after Sunday night’s All-Star Race after he used video of the fight on social media.
It was the largest fine ever imposed for fighting in NASCAR history.
Elliott, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, said he knew Stenhouse had been fined but appeared surprised when told the amount by a member of the media.
“That seems like a lot for this situation,” Elliott said. “You’re going to fine him, but are you going to promote it? Like, what are we doing? This is a little strange to me. …That’s a lot of money to fine a guy. It’s like, ‘It’s not okay, but let’s blow it up to get more clicks.’”
Elliott was referring to NASCAR posting video of the fight at North Wilkesboro Speedway on social platform
Busch was not penalized.
Stenhouse’s father, Ricky Sr., – who has no affiliation with his son’s team – was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Wednesday for his role in the altercation when he went after Busch. Stenhouse’s mechanic Clint Myrick was suspended eight races and engine tuner Keith Matthews four races for their roles in the fight.
Stenhouse and Busch got tangled up on the first lap and then Busch appeared to deliberately destroy Stenhouse on the next lap. Stenhouse rolled his damaged Chevrolet down the pit lane and parked it at Busch’s pit stop. He then climbed the observer’s ladder and exchanged words with members of Busch’s crew before returning to his truck.
Stenhouse stayed in the infield for about two more hours, waiting for Busch to finish the race, then confronted him and punched him, causing a scuffle between the teams.
“I think, really, what we all want is consistency and knowing what the rule is and what’s OK and what’s not OK,” said All-Star Race winner Joey Logano. or altercations, apparently, let me know the rules, that’s what I want to know. What is the price I am about to pay if I make this decision and is this really how it has to be, just look? for consistency in that, where it’s the same all the time, and I know it’s hard to do that because every situation can be a little different.
Both Stenhouse and Busch plan to race on Sunday.
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AP Auto Racing:
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