EX-RCR driver calls out NASCAR’s “double standard” over severe penalty for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for punching Kyle Busch

Elliott Sadler reckons the decision to fine Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was dead wrong.

EX-RCR driver calls out NASCAR’s “double standard” over severe penalty for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for punching Kyle Busch

Ricky Stenhouse Jr and Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)

On Wednesday NASCAR released the penalty reports for the North Wilkesboro All-Star race week and the racing community was shocked with the penalties announced. The sanctioning body has decided to fine Ricky Stenhouse Jr. a whopping $75,000 for punching Kyle Busch in the face while also suspending his father alongside one JTGD Racing crew member.

The decision didn’t set well with former racer Elliott Sadler, who is one of an elite set driver to win races in all three national series. He pointed out that it is double standard from NASCAR to use the footage of the fight to promote the sport, but also penalize the drivers involved in it. The ex-RCR driver pointed out Stenhouse Jr. saved the All-Star race that had very limited action upfront.

This is dead wrong if you plan on using the wreck of fight for promotions moving forward. You can’t fine a guy then show it to sell tickets at NASCAR events .. double standard…. Ricky saved the All-Star race.
Elliott Sadler wrote on X.

He is not the first and only one to make the comment. Trackhosue Racing’s star driver Daniel Suarez also had the similar arguments, which he shared via X just like Sadler. Suarez also highlighted that how it’s not right to use the footage for PR while also penalizing him.

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NASCAR breaks down the main reason for penalizing Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The Senior VP of NASCAR, Elton Sawyer perfectly explained why the sport decided to fine Stenhouse Jr. He reckons the incident was perfectly avoidable, as the Chevy driver had 198 laps worth time to think about the aftereffects of a potential revenge.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Credits: ON3.com)
When you wait 198 laps and you make those decisions that were made, again, we’re going to react to that…Granted there was no tunnel, granted there was no crossover bridge (to allow Stenhouse Jr. to leave the track), better decisions could have been made throughout that period of time between the incident on the race track and the incident in the garage post-race.
Elton Sawyer said.

NASCAR does have a point as there was enough time for the No:47 Chevy driver to think over what they were going to do. The whole incident could have been avoided or physical altercation could have been avoided at the moment. On the other hand, the sanctioning body also shouldn’t be exploiting the fight, while fining the drivers involved.

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