Top Dog: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
“Ricky Stenhouse, the pride of Olive Branch, Mississippi … Stenhouse wins it!” Those were the words FOX Sports commentator Mike Joy shouted as Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won his career NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway in 2017.
Not only was it Stenhouse’s first win at NASCAR’s premier level, but it was the third straight race he had earned a top 10 in during that season. That was the last time he had such a streak … until now.
Stenhouse overcame starting from the rear at the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway (May 15) to earn an eighth-place finish, making it three straight results inside the top 10.
It was a complete 180º from how Stenhouse’s weekend commenced in the Midwest. During Saturday’s practice, Stenhouse cut a tire and slapped the wall with the right rear of his car. The damage was not enough to bring out the backup, however, as the team was able to repair the rear bumper.
Tough day yesterday for @StenhouseJr and the No. 47 @DillonsGrocery @LA_Hot_Sauce Camaro team @kansasspeedway, but today is a new day to persevere! Good morning!☀️ #NASCAR | #AdventHealth400 https://t.co/b7pJz0qenZ
— JTG Daugherty Racing (@JTGRacing) May 15, 2022
Stenhouse’s issues were just a sliver of a common theme of tire failures during both practice and the race itself.
However, as Stenhouse’s competitors fell victim to the degradation of the tires, Stenhouse’s No. 47 Lousiana Hot Sauce/Dillons Grocery Chevrolet stayed true to the task to bring home a strong result.
Starting at the rear to begin the race, the 34-year-old Stenhouse entered the top 15 on lap 43. With 13 laps remaining in stage one, crew chief Brian Pattie kept Stenhouse out to attain the lead, but the No. 47 slipped to 18th by stage end.
Stenhouse got the No. 47 back into the top 15 in stage two, where he sat for most of the stage before ending it in 11th.
As the final stage wore on and the Kansas sun shined on the track, Stenhouse’s car…
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