Ricky Stenhouse Jr. explains father's involvement in Kyle Busch fight at North Wilkesboro

In terms of sparks flying off the racetrack, the infield brawl between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch after the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro provided plenty.

Stenhouse fired the first shot, a right hook at Busch, resulting in an all-out brawl between their respective teams. At one point during the incident, Stenhouse’s father, Ricky Sr., appeared to throw a punch at Busch. Now months removed from the May melee, Stenhouse reflected on his father’s involvement. Speaking with Kevin Harvick on his “Happy Hour” podcast, Stenhouse said that his dad didn’t want Busch or one of his team members to get a free shot at him and so, he intervened.

“The first thing I thought was somebody get my dad,” Stenhouse said. “And looking back after talking to my dad about that whole scenario, he was like, ‘Man, the security guy and one of Kyle’s guys grabbed you and I didn’t want anybody to have a free shot at you, so I was just grabbing people.’

“I wouldn’t trade anything that my dad has done. We’ve had some tough times, but I think that comes with the territory and wanting the best for me. I definitely don’t think I’d be in the situation and position I’m in without his tough battles that we’ve had at the racetracks and at home in the shop.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Kyle Busch brawl at North Wilkesboro explained

The incident stemmed from Busch putting him into the wall just two laps into the 200-lap exhibition. Stenhouse, stuck in the infield of North Wilkesboro with nowhere to go, had the time equivalent to 198 laps to decide how he was gonna handle seeing Busch after the race. Stenhouse, who threatened to fight Busch while speaking with media immediately after the wreck, stayed true to his word.

NASCAR fined Stenhouse $75,000 and indefinitely suspended Ricky Sr. from the garage. The sanctioning body reinstated Ricky Sr, in late September.

Stenhouse, the 2023 Daytona 500 champion, failed to make the playoffs this season. He did, however, take the checkered flag at Talladega earlier this month.