USA Today via Reuters
Feb 19, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr (47) leads Joey Logano (22) on the last lap as Kyle Larson (5) crashes with Travis Pastrana (67) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 19, 2023; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr (47) leads Joey Logano (22) on the last lap as Kyle Larson (5) crashes with Travis Pastrana (67) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 2023 Daytona 500 has wrapped up, with yet another unusual race winner. This time around, it was Ricky Stenhouse Jr who triumphed after a couple of overtimes. However, that triumph did not go down well with a certain Kyle Busch.
The Richard Childress Racing’s new recruit was actually in excellent form. In fact, he was close to winning his first-ever Daytona 500, but a late wreck ruined his chance.
Busch was obviously disappointed, and speaking after the race, switched off his brain-to-mouth filter. He simply said, “I don’t even know who lucked into it.” When he was told that it was Stenhouse Jr, Busch quipped, “There you have it.” Safe to say, not many people were happy about seeing the surly side of Busch rear its head once again.
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How did fans react to Kyle Busch and his criticism of Stenhouse Jr?
Many were rather baffled that Busch would say that about a driver who endured a tough battle for the win. Sure, Stenhouse Jr may have benefitted from staying out of trouble, but he had several drivers hounding him. Chief among them were Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Alex Bowman. All of those drivers are top contenders, and the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing duo was very strong.
Imagine saying that about Stenhouse after he had to beat out the 22, 6, 17, 5, 20, and 48 when the RCR cars really didn't show enough speed to keep the lead against that group regardless
— Perry Mitchell (@perrymitchell08) February 20, 2023
Why can’t he just say, I am truly grateful to be okay, mean it, move on!
— Dr. Kim Rocha (@drkrocha) February 20, 2023
— Kameron Reiffer (@Kreiffer11) February 20, 2023
Such a sour faced sore loser
— Ian Black (@IanBlack4141) February 20, 2023
Others simply got angry at Busch for not being gracious in defeat. Some people even called the #8 driver a “sour-faced sore loser.” Admittedly, some fans did expect to see this side of Kyle Busch and were waiting to see it show up. Few fans openly admitted that Kyle Busch was a “d*uche.” One thing was for sure, many fans did not appreciate the Richard Childress Racing driver going after Stenhouse Jr for no reason.
@TylerThomas517 there's the Kyle we were waiting for lol
— Jeremy Davis (@calikid_27) February 20, 2023
Everyone is happy for stenhouse. Kyle, “who lucked into it ? Stenhouse. There you have it. “ have to say he really is a douchhheeee
— John (@GolfsPoorly) February 20, 2023
Yo he didn’t have to do my guy Stenhouse like that at the end 🤣 https://t.co/wtwzAe4XJj
— William Allen (@wallen_13) February 20, 2023
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If @StenhouseJr doesn’t make a “There you have it” #DAYTONA500 shirt, it would be a missed opportunity. https://t.co/V5AERDBA2m
— Spencer MacPherson (@spencermacp) February 20, 2023
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Finally, others joked that Stenhouse Jr should do what many other drivers before him have done. Turn Kyle Busch’s words upon him by getting them printed on a T-shirt. After all, Denny Hamlin, Alex Bowman, and Busch himself have adopted this tactic often.
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