Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Reveals How NASCAR’s $75,000 Fine Policy Helped to Avoid Daniel Suarez-Ross Chastain Fight

NASCAR veteran Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has given a bold take on the dramatic confrontation involving Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain at Las Vegas.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Reveals How NASCAR’s $75,000 Fine Policy Helped to Avoid Daniel Suarez-Ross Chastain Fight

Daniel Suarez, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

The biggest topic of discussion from last Sunday’s race at Las Vegas other than Denny Hamlin’s win was the animated confrontation between ex-teammates. Daniel Saurez and Ross Chastain almost started a fist fight owing to multiple contacts they had during the race, while racing for top-20 positions.

Hyak Motorsports’ Ricky Stenhouse Jr., the last driver to throw a punch and get fined $75K by NASCAR has recently shared his thoughts on the drama. He pointed out that if not for the $50,000+ fine policy of the sanctioning body, drivers would not hold themselves back from starting a fist fight.

I’m not sure where Daniel got his $50,000 from, but I wish that’s all it was. It’s definitely in your mind, you know? For me going forward, definitely would be in the back of my mind before I pull the trigger on that again.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said ahead of Darlington weekend.

Further analyzing the situation, Stenhouse Jr. explained that the situation didn’t warrant any drastic actions from Daniel Suarez, as they contact the duo had been really significant. Also, the overall frustration was allegedly the product of poor choice of words from the No:1 Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain.

I’m sure everybody is thinking that as well but obviously, you heard Daniel’s words…Watching the whole thing just from clips that I’ve seen from people posting, I’m not sure anything warranted a punch.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. added via the Gluckcast.

The weird history the duo had as teammates Trackhouse Racing might have played a key role in the fight happening, and both racers being direct with criticism against each other since the incident. The ex-NOAPS champion also reiterated that NASCAR deserve credit for having a strong fine policy that force racer avoid fights.

I’m sure they had a disagreement but obviously, their history goes way back being teammates and things like that. I guess kudos to NASCAR because I think the fines are in the back of everybody’s mind.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. asserted.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains how Daniel Suarez can take revenge on Ross Chastain

In the same conversation earlier, the veteran racer explained how Suarez will take revenge on his rival, since he has lost all respect for Ross Chastain. He does not see a direct payback, instead expect the Mexican American to take advantage of the Next-Gen cars and put the rival on bad spots consistently when they race each other.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Via @StenhouseJr/X)

You can’t manipulate the other car nearly as much as you could with the old car. But you can still put drivers in bad spots. You will continue to do that, week in and week out. … Not give an inch to them, for weeks on end.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said.

It won’t be easy though, as Ross Chastain is a driver that will remain restrained for a long time and he also has frustration building up in his team, owing to their poor start to the 2026 season. It would be interesting to see how everything is going to playout for the duo in the coming days.

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