Joey Logano dominated Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race in historic fashion at North Wilkesboro, but while the driver of the No. 22 was celebrating out on track, all eyes quickly turned to a massive brawl happening in the infield.
Hours after being knocked out of the race by Kyle Busch on Lap 2, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. confronted Busch among the haulers and surprised Busch with a punch. Members of each respective team crew then got involved in a major shoving match, and both Busch and Stenhouse tripped over tires amid the chaos.
Just after the green flag flew, Stenhouse made an aggressive move to go three wide in the middle, on the inside of Busch. Replays showed that Busch slid up the track and into the wall, bouncing back into Stenhouse. Believing it was Stenhouse’s fault, Busch quickly retaliated, bumping and turning Stenhouse one lap later and leaving the No. 47 car with terminal damage.
Due to the layout of North Wilkesboro, however, Stenhouse couldn’t leave the track early, as there is no tunnel or bridge to the outside of the track from the infield. He waited until Busch took the checkered flag, and then unleashed a right hand after a heated exchange.
FOX reporter Bob Pockrass captured perhaps the best video of the moment – and the footage shows the punch came out of nowhere. Stenhouse argues with Busch that the No. 8 car hit the wall and then hit the No. 47, and that the replay would prove it. Busch almost seems to be de-escalating the fight, saying “I don’t believe it, but if that’s what happened, OK…” just as Stenhouse throws his punch.
Even after Stenhouse and Busch were separated, Ricky Stenhouse Sr. got in Busch’s face to continue the fight. It was wild.
Here’s what NASCAR fans were saying after the melee:
