Kyle Busch Claps Back at Insider’s Subtle Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Dig With Hilarious NASCAR Verdict

Kyle Busch is no stranger to controversy. The two-time Cup Series champion has been involved in his fair share of scuffles over the years, earning him the nickname ‘Rowdy’ because of his fiery temperament. With a new season on the horizon, the Richard Childress Racing driver is hoping to start the season off with a clean slate and get back to winning ways after a disappointing 2024 campaign where he finished winless for the first time in 19 years.

However, it seems like his past catches up to him now and again. Having got into a physical altercation with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the All-Star race last year, Busch was asked about potential fights at the upcoming Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray and issued a witty response to the question.

Kyle Busch appears to be in good spirits ahead of the pre-season opener

There was complete chaos the last time NASCAR hosted a non-points-paying race. In the opening lap of the All-Star event at North Wilkesboro, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was seen making an aggressive move that forced Kyle Busch into the wall. In retaliation, the Nevada native took his revenge by intentionally crashing the No. 47 Chevy driver, forcing him to retire in Lap 2. Naturally, the incident didn’t go down well with Stenhouse Jr. who stood by Rowdy’s hauler and waited for him to approach.

After a brief conversation, the JTG Daugherty Racing driver swung at his rival, which began a full-scale fight, and team members also got involved in the altercation. As a result, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was subsequently fined $75,000 for instigating the fight, a significant price to pay for losing his temper. Recalling the controversy last year, Jenna Fryer asked Kyle Busch if any fights could take place at the upcoming pre-season opener, to which the driver jokingly said, “We were already called into the NASCAR Hauler and given a list of who’s supposed to fight who…”

It’s no surprise why Busch was specifically asked this question. The fight with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wasn’t a one-off for the racer, who has built somewhat of a reputation because of his aggressive driving style and outspoken demeanor, which inevitably leads to conflict outside the racetrack. In a 2011 Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway, Kevin Harvick was seen bumping into ‘Rowdy’ to take the lead, prompting the Nevada native to retaliate by making contact during the cool-down lap. This led to a physical altercation between the two drivers on the pit road, with Harvick throwing a punch at Busch.

In 2013, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski were battling it out for the lead at a Nationwide Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Both the racers refused to give in, resulting in a heated exchange between the two cars as they went on to make contact multiple times on the racetrack. Afterward, the two drivers were seen confronting each other on the pit road, resulting in a shoving match between both of them and their crew members.

Well, then there’s the rare occasion where Rowdy didn’t come out of the fight unscathed. In 2017 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch got into it after the race, and punches were flying around. Busch exited the Team Penske pit area with a bleeding forehead, something we aren’t used to seeing from Rowdy.

Apart from these physical confrontations, there have been plenty of verbal exchanges involving Busch as well, which is why he was specifically asked about fights in the upcoming pre-season race. However, it’s good to see the 39-year-old take it in his stride and joke about a so-called ‘list’ with potential matchups that could create headlines. The 39-year-old will be hoping for a controversy-free season ahead as he looks to get back to winning ways in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Busch shares expectations from the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray

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Redemption. That’s what Kyle Busch is aiming for in his 2025 Cup Series campaign. The Nevada native almost looked like an unrecognizable figure in 2024 after failing to secure a single win throughout the season for the first time in nearly two decades. However, the upcoming race at the Bowman Gray Stadium is the start of a new beginning for the Richard Childress Racing driver, despite his lack of experience at the quarter-mile short track.

NASCAR is revisiting ‘The Madhouse’ for the first time since 1971, and just like many others, Kyle Busch is uncertain about what to expect from the legendary track. He said, “I don’t really know. I’ve never raced at Bowman Gray before. You see some of the highlight reels on TV of all the craziness that can happen, with people wrecking each other and whatnot. I’ve never been there to see a race. I’ve got a few friends that have raced there for years though, including Burt Myers, which is cool, so I’ll lean on some of those guys to figure out how to get around there fast.” Burt Myers is certainly a great option to ‘lean on’. The 49-year-old will be making his Cup Series debut at Bowman Gray but his experience there is unparalleled. He owns 11 Bowman Gray Modified Championships and is the youngest-ever winner at the track (23). So as he imparts his knowledge to Busch, the latter could also tell him a thing or two about racing at the ‘Clash’, where Rowdy has vast experience.

He may not have raced at the Bowman Gray Stadium before, but Kyle Busch has a respectable record at ‘The Clash’. In his last 18 races at the pre-season opener, the Nevada native has secured two wins and eight top-five finishes, leading 131 laps. His record at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is impressive, having finished no lower than third in the last three seasons. However, a venue change could add an element of uncertainty for the racer, who will aim to maintain his streak this year as well. Given all the inconsistencies in his career lately, what are your expectations from Kyle Busch in 2025?