Rivalries are an inherent part of NASCAR, but few are as explosive as the one between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kyle Busch. Competitive intensity, mutual frustration, and moments filled with raw emotions mark their rivalry. From the early 21st century, both Busch and Dale Jr. had some very ugly fights and duels on track. However, some of them continued behind the scenes as well.

One such moment came to light when Dale Jr. revealed his heated confrontation with Busch at Phoenix Raceway in 2014. He shared the details of a decade-old tense encounter when he stood for his respect, which led to an unwanted clash between two NASCAR legends. According to Dale Jr., the situation was so tense that it could have led to a physical fight.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. stood up for his respect!

It was the spring race of 2014 at Phoenix where Dale Earnhardt Jr. had an unwanted face-off with Kyle Busch. However, the incident didn’t happen in front of cameras, but in 2021, Dale Jr. revealed the secrets of their ugly fight which could have turned into a physical tussle.

“We were at Phoenix, and this is around 2014. Things aren’t going well for me. I’m having a down year pretty frustrating year, and it’s a practice I’m going down the back straightaway and I’m slowing down and coming into the pits,” Dale Jr. told The Bussin’ With the Boys Podcast.

“I get to the apron and Kyle’s behind me and he’s coming by, and I guess I was too close to the racetrack he didn’t like where I was at. It was impeding and it was bothering him and his focus… He didn’t like something, what I did, and he flipped me the bird.” Rowdy in his typical rowdy style, gave it off to Dale Jr. who did not like it one bit. Junior was already coming off a tumultuous 2013 season where he failed to secure a single win. Dale Jr. came close several times, especially in the second half, but couldn’t cross the finish line first. However, in 2014, he had an average start, but frustration got the better of him, leading to an avoidable confrontation.

“The practice ends, and I debrief with my team, and I’m frustrated with my car/ It’s just been a bad season and then that happened… I walked up into this hauler… and there’s a lounge and in the lounge is Kyle and his crew chief. I said Kyle if you ever flip me off again, I’m going to rip your head off and I’m going to k— you. I’m going to beat the hell out of you,” Dale Jr. revealed. Junior clarified that it was definitely out of immense frustration and something totally out of character for him.

He also admitted that he turned away from the scene after saying it was out to avoid the physical fight. “I said what I had to say, and I turned around and walked out… I didn’t want anything to happen to where it would have gotten physical“. Admittedly, Dale Jr. was sick of Busch’s antics and felt that the latter was disrespecting him, ranging from his comments in the media to such on-track incidents. However, Dale Jr. was not alone in feeling the heat from Rowdy. Busch has had a reputation for being a fiery driver since his Joe Gibbs Racing days and things boil ever even today, as recent as this season’s all-star race!

Kyle Busch: The Rowdy of NASCAR

Trending

Duped Fans Eyeing a Class Action Lawsuit Amid Rising Rusty Wallace Driving Experience Complaints

Kelley Earnhardt Motivates Son Wyatt to Upset Kyle Busch & Brexton’s Tulsa Dreams in 5 Words

NASCAR’s $267 Billion Partner Left Teary Eyed as Denny Hamlin Hunts for 2025 Motto

Tulsa Shootout: Kyle Busch Wins Back to Back as Faceoff Against Kyle Larson & Christopher Bell Heats Up

Tulsa Shootout Controversy: Sprint Cars Star Distances Himself From DQ Drama With Bold Declaration

Kyle Busch has had some very iconic duels in NASCAR history. He is one of those drivers who didn’t hesitate to pour his heart out into the media and often backs his chatter in the press and on the track. However, there were some moments when his fights turned out ugly by turning physical.

Who can forget Rowdy’s physical fight with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. after the All-Star race this year? On lap 2 of the race, Busch hit Stenhouse’s car which led to his premature withdrawal. This clash didn’t go well with Stenhouse Jr. as he confronted Busch along with his crew members. The verbal fight turned ugly when Stenhouse launched a punch at Busch. In return, Busch also launched some punches on various members of Stenhouse’s crew.

Stenhouse defended his antics after the incident, attributing them to frustration. “So definitely just built-up frustration with how he runs his mouth all the time about myself, but I know he’s frustrated because he doesn’t run near as good as he used to and I understand that. We’re a single-car team over here and working hard to go out and get better every weekend,” he told Fox Sports.

Busch spoke briefly on the altercation before his Xfinity race the following week, saying, “I walked into the situation and… it was calm to start and then escalated from there.” A video reveals Busch and Stenhouse arguing about the incident, while what is being said can’t be heard, it was Stenhouse who threw the first punch. Speaking on the on-track incident that led to this, Busch added, “I gave extra room, and when I was dragging the fence he smashed my door.”

Despite these ugly on-track fights, Kyle Busch has been a phenomenal driver. He is the most decorated driver in NASCAR with over 220 victories across three series. He has won three championships in NASCAR, including two Cup Series titles in 2015 and 2019. However, his battles with drivers like Joey Logano, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will remain top-notch and iconic moments in NASCAR history.