Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has stirred excitement ahead of Sunday’s All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, teasing the potential return of his iconic floral shorts, which became infamous during last year’s post-race altercation with Kyle Busch. The anticipation follows the headline-grabbing fight between Stenhouse and Busch last May, an incident that erupted after just two laps when a collision sent Stenhouse into the wall. Tensions flared as Stenhouse parked his wrecked car in Busch’s pit stall, escalating the situation from a dramatic on-track rivalry to a personal confrontation off the track.
During a conversation with NBC Sports reporter Dustin Long, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. playfully hinted that the trademark floral shorts might make another appearance, suggesting a sense of unfinished business as he returns to the site of last year’s tumult. The 2024 exhibition race, despite being won by Joey Logano—who led an astonishing 199 of the 200 laps—became most known for the fracas that saw Stenhouse and Busch exchanging blows near the hauler, with crew members and even Stenhouse’s father involved. The conflict resulted in Stenhouse receiving a $75,000 fine and suspensions for two of his team members, while his father was banned indefinitely. Notably, Busch and his team escaped punishment, even though he finished a distant tenth in the standings.
This year, the stakes remain high, as the 2025 All-Star Open will begin at 5:30 pm ET, followed by the main race at 8 pm ET on May 18 at North Wilkesboro. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., piloting the No. 47 Chevy for Hyak Motorsports, is set to start from the 17th position, while Busch starts eighth at the short 0.625-mile track. Stenhouse currently ranks 14th in NASCAR Cup Series points standings, and while the All-Star event does not award points, he has expressed a strong desire to make a statement at the speedway, citing lingering unfinished business.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has secured two top-10 finishes this season, and his last victory came in a thrilling finish at Talladega, where he narrowly edged out Brad Keselowski by 0.006 seconds. Recently, he also tried his hand at the world’s longest indoor go-kart track at RPM Raceway in Long Island, showcasing his enthusiasm and versatility as a driver. As the spotlight returns to North Wilkesboro, all eyes are on whether both his performance and his memorable floral shorts will steal the show once again, reinforcing his reputation for fierce competition and unforgettable moments in NASCAR.
