No one can say NASCAR stars Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch aren’t passionate about what they do, but instead of pocketing the $1 million top prize last weekend at the 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race, Stenhouse left North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, with a fine for $75,000.

Stenhouse made it through just two of the race’s 200 laps May 19, before a bump of retaliation from Busch sent his No. 47 Chevrolet into the wall and out of the race, which was being held at the 0.625-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway for the second consecutive year.

The move from Busch was in response to him getting tapped into the wall on the opening lap and attributing it to an aggressive Stenhouse maneuver. 

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Due to the layout of the facility, Stenhouse was unable to leave until after the conclusion of the race. That gave him 198 laps to stew in the frustration of the situation, and things only escalated when he and Busch met in pits after the race.

The two engaged in a heated conversation that led to Stenhouse punching Busch in the face. The melee that ensued between the drivers and their crews proved costly.

Along with Stenhouse’s $75,000 fine for punching Busch, two members of Stenhouse’s crew were suspended – mechanic Clint Myrick was suspended for the next eight NASCAR Cup Series races, and tuner Keith Matthews will miss the next four.

Stenhouse’s father, Richard, received an indefinite suspension for violating the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct.

Read more at NASCAR.com: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fined $75K for sparking All-Star brawl, two crew members suspended

On the "Stacking Pennies" podcast with Corey LaJoie in the days following the fight, Stenhouse said he originally threatened Busch with a further payback during the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 but has since decided he'd rather put his attention toward racing, and doing so safely. 

Watch The High-Priced Altercation Between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. And Kyle Busch

Things got headed between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch at the NASCAR All-Star Race on May 19, and it cost Stenhouse $75,000.

Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. fight after the All-Star Race. pic.twitter.com/IJMttBw90W

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) May 20, 2024

Read more about the incident: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. And Kyle Busch Fight After NASCAR All-Star Race

Who Won The 2024 NASCAR All-Star Race?

While Stenhouse was watching from the sidelines, Joey Logano put on a clinic, leading 199 of the 200 laps, and ultimately beating runner-up Denny Hamlin to the finish line by 0.636 seconds. 

Logano also won the event in 2016, while Busch won the race in 2010 and 2017.

Busch finished 10th this year, and Stenhouse landed in last place in the 20-car field, credited with finishing two laps.

Who Participates In The NASCAR All-Star Race?

While the regular NASCAR Cup Series season is about accumulating points in each event, the NASCAR All-Star Race is an exhibition that includes race winners from the previous season and the first part of the current season.

The All-Star field includes 20 drivers – 17 race winners, two spots awarded to the top two finishers in the All-Star Open and one spot via fan vote. The All-Star Race does not award points.

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