Indianapolis Motor Speedway was host to stars from across the world of racing. Apart from the Cup Series full-timers, drivers from different segments, like Shane van Gisbergen, Kamui Kobayashi, and Jenson Button are some notable names on the grid. But one of the drivers from the grid had a different welcome in mind for the visitors.

JTG Daugherty Racing driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr was responsible for some incidents that have received widespread backlash from the NASCAR community. The rare appearances of drivers like SVG and Kobayashi are certainly a contributing factor to that, as fans look forward to seeing new faces with proven worth in other racing circuits. As a result, Stenhouse Jr making things uncomfortable for them has not gone down well with the fandom.

Stenhouse Jr spins Kobayashi amid heated exchange with Jenson Button

Ricky Stenhouse Jr will undoubtedly be in the spotlight after the race following his altercations with the visiting stars Kamui Kobayashi and Jenson Button on the track. His battle with the 2009 Formula 1 champion was one to watch out for, as the duo went dangerously at it. After contact between the two in the first stage that saw Button go for a spin, the British driver decided to find a way to retaliate and give it back to the JTG driver.

On turn 7, Button tried a move that took them deep into the corner and almost sent Stenhouse Jr off the track. The pair kept meeting each other frequently on the track on an electric afternoon that saw such incidents across the field. The 2021 Le Mans winner, Kobayashi, was rather the one who suffered from the frenzy of questionable moves by Stenhouse Jr. With 16 laps to the completion of the race, Ricky spun Michael Jordan’s new addition to the 23XI Racing stable after chipping his rear.

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From the videos of the incident, it can be seen that this season’s Daytona 500 winner failed to brake at the right time and bumped the left rear of Kobayashi, leaving him spinning on the track. It seemed like Stenhouse Jr was venting out his frustration from the battle with Button earlier. Driving the #67 Toyota, Kobayashi didn’t spin for the first time either after he got a taste of it in the initial stages of the race. Overall, the 2019–20 and 2021 World Endurance Championship winner might be feeling that he could’ve gotten more out of his debut.

The fans have slammed Stenhouse for his actions that led to such an unwanted turn of events. Calling him a menace on the track, most of the fanbase has turned their backs on him as he is set to be on the receiving end of some unapologetic remarks.

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“What a tool”: NASCAR fandom bashes Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Ricky Stenhouse Jr’s continuous faceoffs with the international stars mean that he will have to be answerable to many questions after the race. Some fans have also raised serious doubts over his intentions on the track while another set of fans demanded for him to be parked by NASCAR. Joey Logano also faced a similar situation after his contact with Justin Haley sent him into the safety barrier and shortly after another bump with Ryan Blaney left the #22 car spinning.

“Ricky has zero business in a race car. What a tool,” said a fan ridiculing the 35-year-old’s abilities in a race car. The Mississippi native has been charged with the nickname “Wrecky” by the fans for every time he is involved in such accidents that ruin races for other drivers.

“Making sure the Wrecky nickname comes back strong,” said another fan signaling that Stenhouse lived up to his reputation at IMS. One fan was curious about what Stenhouse Jr saw before bumping Kobayashi’s rear, saying, “Did he think that was Jenson and tagged the wrong car?”

A certain fan was livid at the sight of him wrecking other cars and questioned his position in the Cup Series saying, “He’s such a hack. He just wrecks everyone. How does he even have a ride in the cup series?” 

It looks like Stenhouse Jr will have a long time ahead of him this week. Luckily none of the drivers were handed penalties for the incidents that took place but this might just persuade Kobayashi to never come back into NASCAR again.

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