Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. didn't exchange words before leaving Pocono Raceway following the Gander RV 400 on July 28. But Kurt Busch voiced his disdain for contact he received from Stenhouse late in the race on Twitter the following Monday.
“After sleeping on it, I’ve decided to take the high road with the Stenhouse incident,” Busch [@KurtBusch] tweeted. “Hopefully he won’t wreck me up there as well.”
The tweet received a response from Stenhouse.
“Take the road on over if you really want to handle it. You have my number,” Stenhouse (@StenhouseJr) commented.
Busch's #1 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet was hit from behind by Stenhouse's #17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford in the closing laps of the Pocono race. The contact sent Busch's car into the #34 Front Row Motorsports Ford of Michael McDowell. That wreck between Busch and McDowell sent the race into overtime. Busch wound up a lap down in 27th position at the end of the race. Stenhouse finished on the lead lap in 21st spot.
The Pocono race was the second-straight race in which Stenhouse had an issue with a fellow-competitor. During the Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 21, Erik Jones' #21 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota hit the left-front of Stenhouse's car. The damage to Stenhouse's car later resulted in a cut tire that caused Stenhouse to wreck. That wreck retired Stenhouse from the race.
“He’s gotten me a couple times, now, so, he’ll have one coming at some point when he’s trying to make the playoffs,” Stenhouse said.
Jones is 14th in the points standings with five races remaining in the regular season. Stenhouse is 20th in the standings. While Jones is provisionally in a position to make the playoffs, Stenhouse's only reasonable shot to make the postseason looks to be winning one of the five remaining races before the 16-driver playoffs get underway.
