Dale Jr. expresses surprise at the severity of Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s penalty.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr. (In Circle), and Kyle Busch (Via IMAGO)
To the astonishment of the entire NASCAR community, the governing body has decided to come down hard on the penalties for the post-race altercation at North Wilkesboro. Following the conclusion of the All-Star race, Richard Childress Racing’s driver was punched in the face by the winner of the 2023 Daytona 500, during a heated confrontation regarding a wreck on lap two involving the two.
NASCAR announced the penalties on Wednesday, with Stenhouse Jr. receiving a hefty fine of $75,000. His crew member and father also faced suspensions. Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. is taken aback by the decision, as he believes that Kyle Busch should also face some form of penalty for his intentional involvement in the wreck. He questions why Busch was allowed to participate in a practice session without consequences.
Earnhardt Jr. joins the chorus of voices expressing their dissatisfaction with NASCAR’s decision. A former driver for Richard Childress Racing, he labels the ruling as a double standard, suggesting that NASCAR used the altercation for publicity purposes. Trackhouse Racing’s driver also shares a similar sentiment. It appears that both fans and drivers alike are struggling to comprehend the severity of the penalty.
The two-time Xfinity Series champion emphasizes that he does not want Kyle Busch to be suspended or fined for his role in the incident. Instead, he believes that a fair and balanced judgment should be rendered, taking into account the significant fine imposed on Stenhouse Jr.
While the JTGD Racing team has yet to appeal the penalty, it remains to be seen whether they will take action.
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