Several NASCAR drivers, including Bubba Wallace and Kyle Busch, have said that they have become calmer, composed, and happier after becoming fathers. The transition into fatherhood has ushered in a deeper sense of composure and contentment for them. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., meanwhile, remains true to his original approach behind the wheel, even as he embraces the joys of parenthood.
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Now approaching his first birthday in July, Stenhouse Jr.’s son, Stetson, has already found his place in his father’s social media updates. The 2023 Daytona 500 winner offers fans a glimpse into the personal side quite often.
However, in stark contrast to the other new fathers on the grid, Stenhouse Jr. views the arrival of his son as an enriching life experience rather than a professionally transformative one.
“I don’t think it’s changed me as a driver other than I was super bummed we didn’t get to the win at Talladega because I wanted him there in Victory Lane. I had him in the fall at Talladega. They didn’t make the trip down, so that was a bummer,” said Stenhouse Jr.
The Hyak Motorsports driver shared that he is excited to watch his son grow. “But it’s just really fun and really enjoyable watching him change. I feel like he changes every single day. It’s just fun,” said Stenhouse Jr.
“I can’t wait to play and run around outside with him and, if he wants to race go-karts or ride go-karts, dirt bikes, you name it. I’m looking forward to that part of it as well,” he added.
Wallace and Busch’s transformation after parenthood
Wallace, in particular, has raised his performance roof this season. He scored back-to-back third-place results at Homestead and Martinsville, and, at the end of 18 races, he has recorded three top-five finishes and added three more inside the top 10.
Speaking to CBS Mornings, Wallace reflected on how fatherhood has reshaped his outlook. “I think coming into this year, we’ve had a lot of good things happen off the racetrack, baby boy being born, six months old,” he said.
“It’s a nice perspective shift, a mentality shift to where I say this in the most positive way… It took having a kid to realize like there’s so much more to life [than racing],” added Wallace.
Busch, too, has credited his son Brexton with influencing his personal growth. After challenging race weekends, Busch often finds solace in his son’s words of comfort. “Sorry, Dad! You just didn’t have the car today,” Brexton apparently says.
Those moments, as Busch explained, have prompted a more measured, on-track demeanor. He hopes to set a better example for his son by stepping away from his earlier aggressive tendencies.
