Ricky Stenhouse Jr. racing beginnings can be traced to a childhood spent at dirt tracks, following in his father’s footsteps in motorsport. Although Stenhouse is now a familiar face in major NASCAR events, his journey started long before high-profile altercations with drivers like Carson Hocevar and Kyle Busch put him in the spotlight.
Stenhouse caught attention early as a contender in the USAC National Sprint Car racing scene, where he built the foundation that would eventually lead to a place with Tony Stewart’s acclaimed midget and sprint car program. This path brought Stenhouse onto NASCAR’s radar, setting in motion a career that would see both triumphs and challenges at the sport’s highest level.
From Childhood Racing to National Attention
Reflecting on his formative years during a Nashville Game Changers appearance, Stenhouse highlighted the family’s racing influence and his early introduction to the sport. He shared how his father’s involvement in dirt racing naturally brought him to the racetrack as an infant, instilling a lifelong connection to the racing world. Stenhouse recalled starting BMX races at age three, then go-kart competitions by age five, before graduating to full-sized dirt cars at Memphis Motorsports Park—a track also known for hosting NASCAR’s Nationwide Series, now the Xfinity Series.
“That’s how I got my start, just racing dirt tracks… So, just started figuring out my skills in dirt track racing, and that’s what I knew growing up, and that’s all I really wanted to do. Then things just evolved where it ended up. I got a shot to race stock cars and get to the NASCAR Cup Series and that’s been a dream come true.”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver
Breakthrough Moments and Opportunities
Stenhouse’s career gained momentum in 2007 during the Copper on Dirt event at Manzanita Speedway, where he captured two wins in three starts. Sweeping the USAC National Sprint Car and Silver Crown mains, he demonstrated a rare talent that attracted attention from top teams. When Tony Stewart Racing’s regular driver Tracey Hines was sidelined temporarily, Stenhouse seized the chance to fill in for the renowned team, swiftly proving his worth.
Only two races into his tenure with Tony Stewart Racing, Stenhouse drove the No. 21 car to a victory in the USAC National Midget Car Series at Indiana’s Tri-State Speedway. This rapid success marked a pivotal change in his racing trajectory, solidifying his place among elite drivers and hinting at a promising future in motorsports.
Achievements in NASCAR and the Cup Series
Now in his 13th full season competing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Stenhouse’s achievements include four Cup wins from 458 starts, most notably his dramatic Daytona 500 victory in 2023 with the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports team. While many consider the top rung of stock car racing to offer a unique set of challenges compared to his early dirt track days, Stenhouse boasts a strong track record in NASCAR’s second-tier division as well. He claimed consecutive Xfinity Series titles in 2011 and 2012, amassing eight wins, 40 top-five finishes, and 63 top-tens from 110 appearances.
Despite the well-publicized rivalries and intensity that now characterize some of his on-track presence, Stenhouse’s journey from dirt tracks and BMX bikes to NASCAR stardom reflects both persistence and adaptability. As his career continues, Stenhouse remains a symbol of how early grassroots experience can shape future champions, ensuring his beginnings will be celebrated alongside future successes.
