“Praying so hard for the family” - Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s wife Madyson reacts to tragic details in Georgia nursing student Laken Riley case

Madyson Joye Stenhouse, the wife of NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., expressed her heartfelt support to the family of Laken Riley, who was murdered earlier this year. Madyson recently raised her support in response to the new twist that emerged in the murder case of Georgia nursing student Riley in court on Tuesday.

Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University who was murdered on February 22, 2024, while she was jogging in the morning at the University of Georgia. Her body was found dead in Oconee Forest Park. Jose Antonio Ibarra was found guilty of killing Laken Riley on November 20, 2024, and sentenced to life in prison.

In an Instagram story, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s wife, Madyson, offered her prayers and condolences following the heartbreaking twist in the Laken Riley case.

The case, which has gained attention internationally, has left many in shock, with Madyson joining to extend empathy and strength to Laken’s family during their difficult time.

Sharing a post of “New York Post” on her Instagram story, Madyson wrote:

“Praying so hard for the family.”

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and his wife Madyson Joye Stenhouse are one of the most adorable couples in NASCAR. Stenhouse engaged to Madyson in November 2021 and got married on October 26, 2022, in Charleston, South Carolina. They are proud parents of a five-month-old son named Stetson Steele Stenhouse.

---

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had a topsy-turvy 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season

The 2023 Daytona 500 winner has been running in NASCAR’s top-level series as a full-time driver since 2013 but couldn’t make his mark in the series. Stenhouse Jr. has plenty of experience, but results haven't gone his way as he has only won four races in his Cup Series career.

Despite a win at Talladega Superspeedway, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. managed to score only three top-five and six top-10 finishes with an average finish of 22.05, his worst finish as compared to last season. He ended the season in 25th place in the Cup Series championship standings with 590 points.

The 37-year-old Memphis, Tennessee, native finished 33rd in the season-finale race at Phoenix Raceway. He had seven DNFs this season. After missing out on the playoff this season, he will look to bounce back in the 2025 Cup season.

Catch Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in action at Daytona International Speedway in the season opener Daytona 500 on Feb. 16, 2025.