Ricky Stenhouse Jr. made headlines at Bowman Gray Stadium as he pitched in to help clear snow before the 2026 Clash, nearly a year after a heated incident with Burt Myers fueled a local rivalry. Despite lingering tensions from last season’s controversial collision, Stenhouse remained visibly present and involved at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina venue, highlighting his ongoing connection to the short track drama.
Stenhouse’s Participation Amid Winter Weather Delays
With a snowstorm forcing the postponement of the 2026 Clash at Bowman Gray, Stenhouse stepped up to assist with snow removal in the grandstands, surprising many in the paddock. His gesture, earnest though it was, immediately drew good-natured ribbing and playful barbs from the media.
“Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is here, too, helping with grandstand efforts. We joked he is clearing grandstands for Burt Myers fans who will flip him off lol. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/u5ExDnANZT”
— Bob Pockrass, FOX Sports reporter
This remark, lighthearted on the surface, referenced the still-simmering discontent among local supporters after Stenhouse’s on-track clash with Myers in last year’s Last Chance Qualifier. Fans vividly remember the fallout from that incident, and Stenhouse remains a lightning rod for emotions at the track often nicknamed “The Madhouse.”
The 2025 Controversy That Fueled a Rivalry
The roots of this tension trace back to a fateful moment during the 2025 Last Chance Qualifier. As Stenhouse and beloved short-track veteran Burt Myers battled across the start/finish line, their cars made hard contact. Myers’ No. 50 machine crashed violently into the wall, eliminating him amid a dramatic scene filled with smoke and disappointment for local fans.
The crowd’s reaction was swift and intense, with boos and gestures directed toward Stenhouse. For a time, he became arguably the most unpopular figure in Winston-Salem racing circles, with the memory etched firmly into the sport’s local lore.
Burt Myers Offers His Perspective
The controversy took on new dimensions when Myers addressed the incident in a later interview, offering insight into his view of the crash and its impact on his race night.
“We didn’t have the car we thought we needed at the end,”
Myers said.
“We were picking them off one at a time. I got shoved into the 47 and pushed him out. When I got under him, I don’t know if he was upset about that or what. But we ended up hitting the wall. I’ll have to watch the replay. But I do know it was an orange car that ran into me.”
— Burt Myers, Driver
Myers acknowledged that his car may not have had the pace to move on in the Clash, but Stenhouse’s involvement in the crash extinguished whatever slim hope remained. The exchange, while measured on Myers’ part, only fueled the outrage among loyal fans, ensuring the rivalry endured into the next season.
Anticipation Builds for the Rescheduled Clash
Stenhouse’s role in clearing snow at Bowman Gray hasn’t softened memories of last season’s clash, but it has injected fresh energy into the ongoing drama. As the 2026 Clash was pushed to Wednesday due to weather conditions, all eyes have turned once again to Stenhouse and Myers. Local supporters remain deeply invested in the outcome on and off the track, and stadium staff, race teams, and media—like Jamie Little of FOX Sports and On3’s Nick Geddes—are especially attuned to the crowd’s reaction toward Stenhouse’s return.
Even with the winter chill in Winston-Salem, the intense emotions surrounding the Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Bowman Gray saga show no signs of fading. The stage is set for another spirited confrontation as the short track community prepares for racing to resume at The Madhouse.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is here, too, helping with grandstand efforts. We joked he is clearing grandstands for Burt Myers fans who will flip him off lol. @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/u5ExDnANZT
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 2, 2026
