"I gave him ample amount of time to apologize": Ricky Stenhouse Jr. reflects on Kyle Busch fight, highlights bond with his father

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. recently recalled his altercation with Kyle Busch at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May. The JTG Daugherty Racing driver discussed having second thoughts but Busch's response escalated the situation.

The 2023 Daytona 500 winner Stenhouse Jr. and Richard Childress Racing driver were involved in an early on-track incident at the 2024 NASCAR All-Star race which resulted in a DNF for Stenhouse. Furthermore, the #47 Chevy driver's confrontation with the two-time Cup Series champion aggravated and thereafter, Stenhouse Jr. punched Busch. On such a misdemeanor, the 37-year-old was fined a whopping $75,000, and his father, Stenhouse Sr. who was also involved in the altercation was barred from the future NASCAR events.

In a recent episode of Kevin Harvick's Happy Hour podcast, Stenhouse Jr. reflected on the incident and talked about what went through his mind as he waited for the race to finish. He said:

"I think I got mad a couple times and then I got over it my wife talked me off the ledge a few times and then you know by the time the race was over I was like you know what uh I'm gonna go talk to him and or at least wait for him and so I felt like I gave him an ample amount of time to at least maybe apologize, even though we know Kyle and he's probably not going to and I felt like that just kind of pushed it over the edge." [17:33]

Furthermore, he talked about how his team and the partners supported him throughout.

"But it was cool my whole team was behind me all of our partners were behind me I've gotten a lot of great fans at the racetrack from it so not all is bad but sitting there lap one with a few of your sponsors that were also stuck in the infield I felt bad for them as well," added Stenhouse Jr.

However, after almost four months, Stenhouse Jr.'s father was reinstated and is now seen in the garages and during the race weekends.

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"He instilled so much work ethic,": Ricky Stenhouse Jr. shares his bond with his father

The two-time Xfinity Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the aforementioned conversation opened up on his father-son relationship and how it made an impact while growing up.

Speaking with former Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, Stenhouse Jr. said:

"I spent more time with my dad than anybody I have in my life. We were in the race shop Monday through Sunday, working on race cars, working in his engine shop going to the racetrack on the weekends." [20:03]

"The biggest thing was just you know he instilled so much work ethic and you know and expected a lot from me and it felt like I learned so much from doing that," he added.

Moreover, the Tennesse native gave credit to Stenhouse Sr. for having his back through thick and thin. He continued the conversation by saying:

"We've had some tough times but I think that comes with the territory of him just wanting the best for me. I definitely, don't think, I'd be in the situation and position that I'm in without his kind of tough battles that we had at the racetracks and and at home, in the shop." [21:48]

Meanwhile, the Cup Series driver recently secured his fourth career victory amidst the chaotic Talladega Superspeedway race last weekend. Stenhouse Jr. will be next seen in action for the road course race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on October 13.