Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Watkins Glen passes became the standout statistic at Watkins Glen International, where Stenhouse Jr. finished 23rd but broke the event’s passing record, making him a highlight despite missing the top twenty. The Hyak Motorsports driver, currently looking for a breakthrough win this season, delivered an unparalleled display of track aggression even as his overall result fell short.
Stenhouse Jr. Surpasses Expectations with 106 Passes
Although Ricky Stenhouse Jr. crossed the line in 23rd place, his performance on the track drew attention for another reason: he recorded 106 passes, the highest tally among the 39 drivers competing on Sunday. According to figures shared by motorsports journalist Cole Cusumano on X, the race saw a total of 3273 passes across 82 green flag laps in the 90-lap competition. This statistic set a new benchmark for passing at Watkins Glen and underscored Stenhouse’s persistence in moving through the field, despite his ongoing struggle for a top finish this season.
Context for Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s Season Struggles
This latest result marked Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s sixth consecutive race finishing outside of the top 20, continuing a challenging stretch since joining Hyak Motorsports—formerly JTG Daugherty Racing—at the start of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Despite these hurdles, Stenhouse Jr., who now runs the No. 47 car, has managed one top-five and three top-10 finishes so far, placing him 26th in the driver standings with 420 points after 24 races. As one of several regular NASCAR Cup Series competitors yet to post a victory this year, he remains focused on breaking his winless streak and moving up the rankings.
Next Stop: Richmond Raceway
Stenhouse Jr.’s next opportunity to turn his season around comes at Richmond Raceway during the upcoming Cook Out 400, scheduled for Saturday, August 16. This 400-lap event, which will be broadcast live on USA at 7:30 p.m. ET, offers another chance for Stenhouse and the Hyak Motorsports team to reset their campaign, while fans can tune in via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for exclusive coverage and updates.
Rivalries Remain a Talking Point
On June 15 during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, tensions flared between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar, following contact for the second time within three events. Stenhouse finished 27th and Hocevar 34th in a contest won by Shane van Gisbergen, with Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Michael McDowell rounding out the front five. The post-race altercation saw Stenhouse Jr. confront his rival directly:
“I’m going to beat your a**. You’re a lap down, you’ve got nothing to do. Why did you run into me?”
Stenhouse yelled. —Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
“No, I know. I (expletive) up,”
Hocevar replied. —Hocevar, NASCAR Driver
“I don’t give a damn! I’m going to beat your ass when we get back into the States,”
Stenhouse vowed. —Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
Since that heated exchange, there have been no additional on-track incidents reported between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Carson Hocevar. However, Hocevar recently was involved in another confrontation when he lost control while racing Zane Smith, resulting in Smith’s wreck with Spire Motorsports.
Record-Breaking Drive Reflects Determination Amid Adversity
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s landmark number of passes at Watkins Glen International highlights both his aggressive approach and resilience during a demanding NASCAR Cup Series season. Even as the Hyak Motorsports driver continues to hunt for a return to form and his first win of the year, setting this passing record affirms his status as a relentless competitor on the circuit. The upcoming Richmond race will provide another stage for Stenhouse Jr. to demonstrate his abilities and fight for a breakthrough result in a season defined by both frustration and flashes of intensity.
