Stewart-Haas Racing, whose drivers have won two NASCAR Cup Series championships and scored dozens of race wins, announced Tuesday it will close down after the 2024 season.
Co-owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas issued a joint statement announcing the news.
“We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly,” the statement began.
“Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding.
“But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.
Stewart-Haas Racing will close after the 2024 season, according to a statement from Gene Haas and Tony Stewart. Did not announce who will be buying the charters. My sources indicate plan is for Front Row, 23XI, Trackhouse to each buy one. Fourth charter buyer still unclear. pic.twitter.com/lw5eC3CGf3
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 28, 2024
Stewart-Haas currently fields four Cup Series Ford Mustangs, the No. 4 for Josh Berry, the No. 10 (Noah Gragson), No. 14 (Chase Briscoe) and No 41 (Ryan Preece). The team also fields two Xfinity Series teams, with drivers Cole Custer and Riley Herbst.
Founded in 2002 as Haas CNC Racing, Stewart assumed co-ownership in 2008. The team won NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2011 with Stewart and in 2014 with Kevin Harvick, as well as an Xfinity title with Custer in 2023. It has 69 Cup victories.
Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass reported that Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing and Trackhouse Racing will each buy one of Stewart-Haas’ race charters, enabling each of them to add another race team.
Fans were surprised by the team’s sudden demise.
Heard whispers about this at the Indianapolis 500 but didn’t expect a closure announcement so soon. https://t.co/Bb5KWQ9Vk9
— Illinois Golfer (@IllinoisGolfer) May 28, 2024
Makes me so sad to see a major team go, and SHR is… er… was a major team. https://t.co/bkorBfamiX
— Cam Walsh (@RacingCam) May 28, 2024
I was in Charlotte for #Coke600 weekend and before I came home yesterday I went to pay my respects at the shop. I was a fan of theirs for 10 years and it sucks to see them go. I hope each and every employee there lands on their feet somewhere. https://t.co/RRy0ZV8NLu
— Brandon (@brandon_1183) May 28, 2024
Amazing how relatively short-lived it all was for SHR. 16 years.
First 5: 396 starts, 19 wins by 2 drivers. 2011 champ.
Next 5: 720 starts, 32 wins by 5 drivers. 2014 champ.
Last 5: 720 starts, 18 wins by 4 drivers.
2024: 56 starts, 0 wins, 3 top-5s, 13 top-10s, 60 laps led. https://t.co/YYzVgZIgrl
— a.k.a. Andrew (@AKlahn) May 28, 2024
You don’t often see a four-car team cease operations like this. They could have downsized after last season with the Harvick/Almirola retirements. But that’s probably irrelevant. https://t.co/NVUjTg4DNh
— Nick Gray (@_NickGray) May 28, 2024
There’s now 4 charters on the market, should be a wacky silly season https://t.co/er51AdkMv5
— Spencer Fascetta
(@PuckNerdHockey) May 28, 2024
[Bob Pockrass]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.