Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s performance at Watkins Glen International on August 9 stood out despite a disappointing 23rd-place finish, marking his sixth consecutive race outside the top 20. Driving for Hyak Motorsports, formerly known as JTG Daugherty Racing, Stenhouse made an impressive 106 passes during the 90-lap event, the highest among the 39 drivers who competed, highlighting his aggressive racing style at this renowned road course.
According to data shared by journalist Cole Cusumano on X, the race featured 3,273 passes over 82 green flag laps, underlining the event’s competitive nature. Though the high number of overtakes reflected the race’s excitement, Stenhouse’s results have yet to match his on-track tenacity.
Current Season Performance and Upcoming Race Details
This season, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is competing in his first full year with Hyak Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series, sitting 26th in the driver standings with 420 points after 24 races. Piloting the No. 47 car, the Mississippi native has achieved one top-five finish and three top-10s so far but continues to pursue his first win of the year.
Looking ahead, Stenhouse is set to compete in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 16. This 400-lap race will begin at 7:30 pm ET and will be broadcast live on USA Network with radio coverage from MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, offering fans a chance to watch Stenhouse and his rivals battle once again.
Past Conflict with Carson Hocevar Highlights Rising Tensions on Track
Earlier this season during the June 15 Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had a notable confrontation with fellow driver Carson Hocevar. The two had already made contact in two of their previous three races, escalating the tension between them.
Shane van Gisbergen secured his first win of the season on that day, while Stenhouse finished 27th and Hocevar ended 34th. After the race, Stenhouse confronted Hocevar verbally, expressing his frustration:
“I’m going to beat your a**. You’re a lap down, you’ve got nothing to do. Why did you run into me?” Stenhouse yelled.
“No, I know. I (expletive) up,” Hocevar replied.
“I don’t give a damn! I’m going to beat your ass when we get back into the States,” Stenhouse vowed.
Since that exchange, the two have avoided further incidents on the track, though Hocevar was involved in a recent collision with Zane Smith after getting loose under Smith’s Spire Motorsports car in a separate event.
Implications of Stenhouse’s Aggressive Approach and Future Prospects
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s ability to lead the field in passes at Watkins Glen despite his low finishing position reflects both his persistence and the challenges he faces translating on-track action into better results. His streak of finishes outside the top 20 underlines the ongoing struggles Hyak Motorsports faces as the season progresses.
His upcoming participation in the Cook Out 400 offers a crucial opportunity to improve his standing and break his winless streak, while managing the competitive tensions that have emerged with rivals remains vital to his campaign. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Stenhouse can convert his aggressive racing into a stronger finish as the season unfolds.
