Stewart-Haas Racing, a highly successful NASCAR team that has won two championships and earned an impressive 69 Cup Series victories since its establishment in 2009, has announced that it will be shutting down at the conclusion of this season.
The owners acknowledged that the decision was not made lightly or hastily. They recognized that racing is a challenging and humbling sport that demands unwavering commitment and substantial resources. It requires a year-round dedication to surpass others and achieve success. However, the owners also acknowledged that the commitment needed to excel and sustain in the sport is incredibly demanding. They have reached a stage in their personal and professional lives where they feel it is time to hand over the reins.
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This year, SHR is fielding Cup cars for Josh Berry, Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, and Ryan Preece. Both Berry and Gragson are in their debut seasons with the team. As for Briscoe, SHR holds the 2025 option on him, and he hasn’t been allowed to discuss any future employment opportunities, despite swirling rumors about SHR potentially shutting down.
In a heartfelt social media post, Briscoe announced that after a 7-year tenure at Stewart Haas, both he and the entire organization will be seeking new opportunities and a new home in the Cup series. Expressing gratitude for the support of his incredible partners, Briscoe eagerly looks forward to bringing them back to victory lane.
In addition, the SHR Xfinity Series team, which includes drivers Cole Custer and Riley Herbst, will also be disbanded as a result of this decision.
In 2002, Gene Haas established Haas CNC Racing, and he managed to persuade Stewart, a California businessman and co-owner, to join the team in 2009. Despite already having won two Cup championships with Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart couldn’t resist the chance to have an equity stake and contribute to the success of a smaller team in their pursuit of championship glory.
In 2009, Stewart made his debut season with the rebranded team and achieved a significant milestone by securing their first Cup victory. He showcased his talent by winning four races that year. The ultimate highlight came in 2011 when Stewart clinched the team’s first-ever Cup title. Building on this success, Kevin Harvick went on to claim a second championship for the team in 2014.
Stewart, Harvick, and Clint Bowyer have all retired from NASCAR driving and left SHR since then, leading the organization into a challenging period of rebuilding. The team’s most recent Cup Series victory occurred in 2022 with Harvick, one year prior to his retirement. Unfortunately, SHR was unable to secure a Cup race win last season.
Haas dedicates the majority of his time to his Formula 1 team, while Stewart maintains a full NHRA schedule, resulting in both owners being absent from NASCAR events. Additionally, Haas, who is 71 years old, battled illness throughout the previous year.
Part of Haas’ F1 team operates from the Kannapolis-based shop, and it remains uncertain whether this arrangement will persist or if Haas intends to withdraw from F1 altogether.
Teams and NASCAR are engaged in a heated battle over the future of charters. The teams are pushing for permanent charters that are not renewable, while NASCAR remains steadfast in its refusal to yield on the matter.
The destination for SHR’s drivers remains uncertain. Briscoe is now free to explore opportunities with other teams for his future endeavors. Meanwhile, Berry, who lacks personal sponsorship, received a significant breakthrough when SHR brought him on board for this season. Notably, the team had an option for Berry’s services next year.
Cole Custer may have the opportunity to drive either in the Cup or Xfinity Series, thanks to the support of Haas’ CNC Automation company. On the other hand, Herbst has substantial financial backing from Monster Energy, which provides him with various options.
