Ricky Stenhouse Jr. turned heads at Watkins Glen International on August 10 by making the most passes of any driver in the field, despite finishing 23rd in the race. The Hyak Motorsports driver’s aggressive pace stood out during the 90-lap event, even though it marked his sixth straight race finishing outside the top 20. His performance at this iconic street circuit highlighted a significant disconnect between speed and results.
According to journalist Cole Cusumano on X, the race featured a total of 3,273 passes among 39 drivers across 82 laps under green flag conditions. Stenhouse led all drivers with 106 passes, reflecting his relentless approach on the track throughout the competition.
Season Struggles Continue for Stenhouse in Hyak Motorsports No. 47 Car
This year marks Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s first full season with the newly rebranded Hyak Motorsports, formerly JTG Daugherty Racing. After 24 events, Stenhouse sits 26th in the driver standings with 420 points. Although he has yet to secure a breakthrough win this year, he has earned one top-five finish and three top-10 placements while piloting the No. 47 car. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native continues aiming for his first victory of the season amid a crowded field of competitive NASCAR Cup Series regulars.
Looking ahead, Stenhouse will compete next in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 16. The 400-lap race will air live on USA Network from 7:30 p.m. ET, with radio coverage via MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Intensity Flared Between Stenhouse and Hocevar After Mexico City Race
Earlier this season, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. expressed sharp frustration during the Cup Series race at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on June 15. The tension arose following on-track contact with Carson Hocevar, marking their second collision in three races. The incident contributed to Stenhouse finishing 27th, while Hocevar ended 34th. Shane van Gisbergen won the event, with Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Michael McDowell rounding out the top five.
Following the race, Stenhouse confronted Hocevar, voicing his displeasure vehemently.
“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.
While no further incidents between Stenhouse and Hocevar have been reported since, Hocevar was involved in a separate crash last week when he got loose under Spire Motorsports’ Zane Smith, causing a wreck during that race.
What This Means for Stenhouse’s Season and Prospects
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s performance at Watkins Glen illustrates his capability to aggressively move through the pack despite ongoing struggles to convert speed into high finishing positions. His tally of 106 passes demonstrates a driver pushing hard to regain momentum amid a tough 2025 season with Hyak Motorsports. Maintaining this level of competitiveness will be critical as the season heads toward key races like Richmond.
The buildup of frustration, highlighted by the heated exchange with Carson Hocevar, underscores the intensity within the Cup Series as drivers compete fiercely for limited victories. Stenhouse’s continued determination suggests he remains focused on breaking through for his first win of the year, while also managing on-track rivalries and race-day challenges.