The announcement that Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) will cease operations in NASCAR after the 2024 season has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world. This decision leaves not only the team’s drivers but also hundreds of employees in limbo, uncertain about their future in the sport.
This upheaval stems from deeper tensions within the organization, particularly between co-owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, with many pointing to Tony Stewart as a key factor in this major shift.
Stewart-Haas Racing: A Legacy in NASCAR
Founded in 2002 as Haas CNC Racing and rebranded in 2009 when Tony Stewart became a co-owner, SHR quickly became one of NASCAR’s premier teams. Under Stewart’s leadership and driving, the team won two championships in 2011 and 2014, with Stewart and Kevin Harvick, respectively.
SHR has since been a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series, winning 69 races. However, recent struggles and growing internal discord have brought this era to a close.
The decision to shut down SHR’s NASCAR operations came after a series of internal issues between Stewart and Haas. While no formal confirmation has been made, reports and insider comments suggest a falling-out between the two co-owners.
According to some sources, Tony Stewart’s frustration over his inability to implement competitive changes and his ongoing disagreements with Haas contributed significantly to his decision to walk away from the sport.
Impact on Drivers and Employees
The closure of SHR leaves its drivers—Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece—without a clear path forward. Briscoe, for example, has been a strong contender for a seat at Wood Brothers Racing as Harrison Burton’s future remains uncertain.
Berry, in his rookie season, was under contract for 2025, but now faces the challenge of securing a new deal in an increasingly competitive driver market. Gragson and Preece also find themselves searching for rides, with their future in NASCAR far from guaranteed.
Beyond the drivers, SHR’s employees, from mechanics to engineers, are uncertain about their future. While Stewart and Haas have expressed their commitment to helping their employees transition into new roles, the reality is that hundreds of workers now face job uncertainty at a time when the NASCAR landscape is becoming more competitive and sponsorship-driven【8†source】.
Tony Stewart’s Role
Tony Stewart’s departure from SHR has sparked widespread speculation about his role in the team’s closure. Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has always been known for his fiery passion for racing. However, his leadership style and vision for SHR often clashed with that of Gene Haas, especially in recent years as the team’s performance declined.
Kevin Harvick, who has long been a cornerstone of SHR, noted that internal tensions between Stewart and Haas may have reached a breaking point, leading to the eventual decision to shut down the team.
Some speculate that Stewart’s desire to focus on other ventures, including his SRX Series and his involvement in drag racing, may have influenced his decision to exit NASCAR. Stewart has always been a man of many passions, and it’s possible that his interests have shifted away from NASCAR, leading him to step back from SHR’s day-to-day operations【9†source】.
The Future of SHR’s Charters
Another major consideration is what will happen to SHR’s four NASCAR charters. In recent years, charters have become a valuable asset in NASCAR, giving teams guaranteed entry into races. With SHR selling its charters, speculation is rife about which teams might purchase them. Teams like Front Row Motorsports (FRM) and 23XI Racing are seen as potential buyers, with both organizations looking to expand their presence in the Cup Series.
For the drivers and employees of SHR, the sale of these charters represents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it may open doors for some to find new teams, the competitive nature of the sport means that not everyone will land on their feet.
The departure of Stewart-Haas Racing from NASCAR marks the end of an era. As one of the sport’s most successful teams over the past two decades, SHR’s exit raises questions about the future of NASCAR’s team landscape. With other teams like 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing looking to expand, the sport may be entering a period of consolidation, where fewer, larger teams dominate the competition.
For Tony Stewart, the decision to leave NASCAR is not just the end of his involvement with SHR but possibly the conclusion of his storied NASCAR career. His departure leaves a void in the sport, both as a driver and a team owner, and his absence will be felt by fans, drivers, and competitors alike.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s decision to cease operations after the 2024 season has sent shockwaves through the NASCAR world. With Tony Stewart stepping away from the sport and internal tensions between him and Gene Haas playing a significant role, the future of SHR’s drivers and employees remains uncertain.
As NASCAR enters a new chapter, the legacy of Stewart-Haas Racing will remain, but the impact of its closure will reverberate throughout the sport for years to come.
