Kyle Busch believes Ricky Stenhouse Jr. breached a traditional code of conduct for Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers by not reaching out to him following a crash-filled race at Daytona International Speedway that most believe the Roush-Fenway driver was responsible for.
During a press conference on Friday at Kentucky Speedway, Busch said he expected a phone call from the 30-year-old, but it never came.
"He did not reach out," Busch said when asked if they had talked. "I am disappointed that he did not."
Why?
"He wiped out half the field," Busch said. "I thought it would make for a busy Monday for him, but apparently, he doesn't care."
Stenhouse was involved in three multicar crashes on Saturday night in the Coke Zero Sugar 400, including a 24-car melee on lap 55 that began when he tagged Brad Keselowski from behind after a block from leader William Byron.
Just five laps later, Stenhouse drifted up into Busch who then spun into Byron, triggering another multicar crash.
In the immediate aftermath of the race, Stenhouse took responsibility for the carnage but did not apologize, saying that the aggression was just a byproduct of restrictor plate racing.
"I think we needed to win to get in the playoffs, and so it is what it is," Stenhouse said on Saturday.
But Busch wanted more and left a parting shot on Friday when asked if it would change how he races Stenhouse moving forward.
"I can't worry about people that far back in the field."
Busch is the championship leader. Stenhouse is 16th in the standings.
NBC Sports pit reporter Marty Snider said he asked Stenhouse for a follow-up before the final practice broadcast began, but the two-time Xfinity Series champion said he didn’t have one but would probably add more later.
