CONCORD, N.C. — Chase Elliott criticized NASCAR for fining driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. $75,000 for punching Kyle Busch following Sunday evening’s All-Star Race after it had used video of the struggle on social media.
It was the most important high quality ever handed down for combating in NASCAR historical past.
Elliott, talking forward of this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, mentioned he knew Stenhouse had been fined however appeared shocked when knowledgeable the quantity by a member of the media.
“That looks as if so much for that state of affairs,” Elliott mentioned. “You’ll high quality him, however you’re going to promote with it? Like, what are we doing? That is a bit of unusual to me. … That is some huge cash to high quality a man. It is like, ‘It isn’t OK, however we’re going to blast it throughout the whole lot to get extra clicks.'”
Elliott was referring to NASCAR posting video of the struggle at North Wilkesboro Speedway on the social platform X together with the phrases: “We’ll name this a … distinction of opinion.”
Busch was not penalized.
Stenhouse’s father, Ricky Sr. — who has no affiliation together with his son’s workforce — was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR on Wednesday for his function within the fracas when he went after Busch. Stenhouse mechanic Clint Myrick was suspended for eight races and engine tuner Keith Matthews for 4 races for his or her roles within the struggle.
Stenhouse and Busch tangled on the primary lap, after which Busch appeared to intentionally wreck Stenhouse on the subsequent lap. Stenhouse rolled his broken Chevrolet down pit lane and parked it in Busch’s pit stall. He then climbed the spotter’s ladder and exchanged phrases with members of Busch’s crew earlier than retreating to his hauler.
Stenhouse stewed within the infield for about two hours, ready on Busch to complete the race, then confronted him and threw a punch, igniting a melee between the groups.
“I believe, actually, what all of us need is consistency and understanding what the rule is and what’s OK and what’s not OK,” All-Star Race winner Joey Logano mentioned. “That is actually all you ask for. Whether or not it is the automotive or restarts or altercations apparently, simply let me know the foundations, is what I wish to know. What’s the value I am about to pay if I make this determination and is it price it? That is actually the way it’s bought to be, is simply in search of consistency in that to the place it is the identical on a regular basis, and I do know it is onerous to do. That is so much to ask for as a result of each state of affairs might be a bit of bit totally different. It is a judgment name. There is no black and white.”
Each Stenhouse and Busch plan to race Sunday.