The NASCAR "Shunch"

Introducing the shove/punch combo that NASCAR drivers often use in moments of tension

NASCAR drivers come from all different walks of life. They have different demeanors. They execute different driving styles. The unique personality of each competitor is what helps make this sport so great.

But one thing they do seem to have in common is one attack technique during post-race confrontations. It was most recently used this past weekend by an irate Jesse Love on the unsuspecting torso of Nick Sanchez.

THERE IT WAS. A swift punch/shove hybrid right before the storm off. It’s not quite a punch, yet not quite a push. It’s a closed fist, but delivered more like a shove.

Isolated incident? Not so much. After research that was exhaustive and what my editor is calling “completely unnecessary and tantamount to time theft,” we’ve discovered that this move has been used in times of tension before.

We’re calling it the “shunch” – we settled on that name by combining the words “shove” and “punch.” Hey bromance, brunch, staycation, chillax, and spork – come and meet your new pal! It’s “shunch,” the pugilistic portmanteau that we’re injecting into the nationwide lexicon!

Take Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney following the fall race at Martinsville Speedway in 2017. There was contact, disagreement, and following a post-race discussion…wait for it…

SHUNCH IN THE LATISSIMUS DORSI! In this case, it was in response to a love tap from Harvick. Blaney clearly wanted to counter this with something stronger, hence, the haymaker shunch. It was a meta signal that told Harvick, “You may be the veteran, but I’m not afraid of you, and my hair, even after a race, is salon-perfect. I’m walking away now.”

But wait – you notice Harvick turning and looking back at Blaney. Why is that? Well, maybe it’s because…

…IT’S THE SAME MOVE THAT KEVIN HARVICK HIMSELF DELIVERED TO THE CHEST OF SEVEN-TIME NASCAR CHAMPION JIMMIE JOHNSON AT CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY TWO YEARS PRIOR IN 2015.

There it is right there. “I don’t care how many championships you have or how meticulous and perfect your facial stubble is, Jimmie – EAT SHUNCH!” says Harvick. He didn’t want to punch or shove Jimmie, so with a shocking combination of both, he catches Jimmie off guard. Jimmie’s response is somewhere between “I’m not exactly sure what that was” and “Watch yourself or else I won’t appear on your podcast in 10 years.”

This is our theory – drivers know that if they throw a roundhouse right or shove a guy to the ground, the result won’t be a good look. You’re looking to throw hands with a driver that wronged you, and before you can count to one, you’re on the ground eating asphalt. You’re trapped underneath 1,200 pounds of team members, NASCAR officials and track security all trying to separate you. Therefore, a quick shunch is likely the best way to get your point across.

Is it a terrifying move? No. Will we ever see it used in UFC octagons or incorporated into “Mortal Kombat?” unlikely. But it’s a technique that we at NASCAR are proud to call our own. Use this new word freely. And if someone scoffs or asks “What the hell are you talking about?” you know what to do.

SHUNCH THEM HARD.