It’s been a year since Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kyle Busch’s infamous fistfight at North Wilkesboro Speedway, a moment that NASCAR fans still talk about with excitement. What began as on-track tensions spilled over into a heated brawl involving crew members, creating one of the most memorable confrontations in recent racing history. As this year’s NASCAR All-Star Race approaches, Stenhouse Jr. is ready to leave the drama behind and focus on racing — but he isn’t ruling out getting fired up again if pushed.
Remembering the North Wilkesboro Brawl and New Pedestrian Bridge
Last year’s fight at North Wilkesboro was intense and unavoidable due to the layout of the infield — there simply was no easy way to exit without crossing through the heat of the moment. This year, however, a new $2 million pedestrian bridge constructed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will give fans a smoother path to and from the speedway, especially those parking south of US 421.
Reflecting on this improvement, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. joked in a recent interview, “I got excited when I heard they did a pedestrian bridge. I thought it was to get out of the infield. I was gonna ask them if they put my name on it.” The comment showed that even a year later, the incident is still part of his narrative, but the driver is clearly looking forward to a cleaner race experience this time around.
The fight last year started after Busch wrecked Stenhouse Jr. early in the race, which ended Stenhouse Jr.’s chances before they really began. This year, Stenhouse Jr. is determined to finish the full 250 laps, stating simply, “I plan on running the whole race which I planned on last year so hopefully, I can see the checkered flag and then just walk out.”
Fans will get to see if Stenhouse Jr.’s plan plays out on May 18, with the All-Star Race airing on Fox Sports 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET. Radio listeners can also catch updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The Warning: Stenhouse Jr. Could Get Fired Up Again
While Stenhouse Jr. is hoping for a clean race, he’s not afraid to show his competitive fire if things go south again. A few days before the All-Star Race, he made it clear that being taken out early — especially if done on purpose — would light a fire under him.
The Ricky Stenhouse/Kyle Busch fight last year happened in part because there's no way out of North Wilkesboro with cars on track. Stenhouse joked he thought the new pedestrian bridge was to get out of the infield and he wanted to know if they were putting his name on it.… pic.twitter.com/M4NVUVFvxL
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) May 16, 2025
The driver explained the difference between crashing by accident and crashing intentionally: “If you get crashed on accident, it’s one thing. Crashing on purpose is a totally different thing, especially in an exhibition race, not going for the win. So yeah, I mean, definitely no regrets.”
Last year’s brawl came with a hefty $75,000 fine for Stenhouse Jr., but he also gained a wave of fans who admired his passion and toughness. Veteran journalist Jordan Bianchi’s video capturing the fight went viral, with over seven million views, helping raise Stenhouse Jr.’s profile among NASCAR followers.
Stenhouse Jr. smiled when asked about the fan response: “I think I gained a decent amount of fans out of it. It cost a little bit, but yeah, it’s part of it. I think, hopefully this year, I don’t plan on being out the first lap and plan on making the end of the race, so hopefully that all works out.”
Looking Ahead: Coca-Cola 600 and Beyond
Just a week after the All-Star Race, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will gear up for the 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600, one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events. The driver is coming off a huge win at the Daytona 500 in 2023, which was the biggest victory of his career so far. Adding a second crown jewel win at the Coke 600 would be a huge statement for Stenhouse Jr., proving he’s a force to be reckoned with on the biggest stages.
With his eyes on both the All-Star Race and the Coke 600, Stenhouse Jr. is focused on strong performances that showcase his talent — and hopefully keep him out of any more on-track drama. Fans will be watching closely to see if the fiery driver can balance his competitive edge with the clean racing he hopes for.
News in Brief: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Kyle Busch fight
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s infamous fight with Kyle Busch at North Wilkesboro Speedway may have made headlines, but the story now is about growth, focus, and readiness for big challenges ahead. With a new pedestrian bridge promising easier access for fans, a determination to finish races, and a warning that he’s ready to get fired up if needed, Stenhouse Jr. remains one of NASCAR’s most passionate and dynamic drivers.
As the 2025 All-Star Race draws near, fans can expect high drama on the track and plenty of heart from Stenhouse Jr. Whether it’s battling wheel-to-wheel or standing tall after a tough break, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is set to make this racing season one to remember.
