NASCAR is a fun event for most to watch, but most forget that for the racers—it’s their job! Racing is their bread and butter, so imagine the terror and anxiety when racers come across rumors that suggest their team owner might just be selling their charters! The future of Stewart-Haas Racing is looking uncertain with all the recent news about the team that has been going around in the past week. To make matters more grim, there are even whispers that Stewart might just withdraw the team from the Cup series altogether.
The buzz got around Kevin Harvick, the former SHR star racer, who didn’t hesitate before giving the 7-word warning, “There are going to be guys without jobs.” To add fuel to the rumor mills, there is a driver from SHR who openly talked about the situation. But while all seems astray by the team, a certain savior may keep the team from falling apart.
Kevin Harvick says all SHR racers are racing to keep a job and get a job!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Stewart-Haas team is steaming under pressure! Since the moment Kevin Harvick left the team, not just the team’s performance but even their financial stability has taken a hit. This is because most investors invest in star athletes that appeal to the star’s vast audience. So Harvick’s exit from the team ended up with SHR having a sponsor drought.
And when Kevin Harvick speaks, most are all ears. In a recent episode Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Harvick the former star driver himself, did the need of the hour and vocalized that many people will be without jobs. Harvick said, “Are they selling all the charters? Are they keeping two charters? Are they keeping one? I don’t know, but sure. It seems like they’re sure. It seems like they’re selling a few, two, three. I don’t know how many, but there are going to be guys without jobs.”
Ford, meanwhile, has done incredibly well at Darlington. Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Chase Briscoe performed very well, and it’s almost as if a switch has been turned on. Are you wondering why? Well, Harvick has an answer. He said, “They are all racing to keep a job and get a job.”
Earlier this year, it was reported that Tony Stewart had not renewed the deal with Ford for the 2025 Cup Series and had sent out information to prospective buyers on what it would take to purchase a charter. Stewart had mentioned that if they were not going to have results, they would need to make major changes. He further added, “… And it’s those guys at SHR to take what we have and make it better… We need to see the needle moving in the right direction and make progress…”
After all, NASCAR is the livelihood of drivers; given the team’s uncertain future, they are essentially auditioning on track. But sponsorships are not the only reason for their major dilemma. SHR is even ending the attractive partnership with Ford, which adds another level of complexity to this ordeal. Their team’s condition is no secret, and their driver is talking about it.
Briscoe on SHR’s uncertainty, while a potential savior emerges on the horizon
Trending
NASCAR Lawsuit: Michael Jordan & Co Question NASCAR’s Ultimatum Threatening 23XI & FRM’s Legal Leverage
“It Was a Bloodbath”- Ross Chastain Unravels of Getting an Earful After Making a Laughing Stock of Himself After Changing His Look
“RIP”: Ex-NASCAR Star’s Unfortunate Passing Leaves Dale Earnhardt Jr & Fans Mourning
NASCAR Fans Predict Tony Stewart’s Rookie to ‘Disappoint’ in 2025 Despite Roger Penske’s Backing
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Warns Rick Hendrick’s Team of “Quite a Disappointment” as Kyle Larson Becomes NASCAR’s Newest Victim
Whatever happens behind closed doors at NASCAR never stays silent. This time, rumor has it that SHR might exit the Cup races. Even their 29-year-old driver, Chase Briscoe, has openly spoken about it, confirming the team’s dire situation. He said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, “There’s a lot of uncertainty. Nobody really knows what is going on. I certainly don’t know what’s going on. I am confident that if SHR is still around I’ve proved myself enough for them to keep me on here.” While his optimism is good, he did admit that the rumors do make him nervous.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Amid ongoing chatter about the future of @StewartHaasRcng, @ChaseBriscoe_14 feels like every race is an audition.
🗣️ “There’s obviously concern anytime there’s rumors […] you start to get a little nervous.”
More → https://t.co/WGRTG5gVtL pic.twitter.com/7SJoLpaxgs
— SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) May 14, 2024
Meanwhile, Briscoe also admitted that he doesn’t have a clue about the current team’s pecking order. His current goal is just to run up front in every race and prove his worth. As Kevin Harvick rightly said, “They’re auditioning and they’re all definitely thinking about it.” But while all seems gloomy, the SHR team does seem to have a shining prince in armor: Noah Gragson, who has an impressive tally of 13 Xfinity wins.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
However, Gragson’s impressive on-track record is not his only appeal. He has a characteristic aura and authenticity that appeal to fans. If it appeals to fans, it appeals to sponsors. As such, Noah Gragson could draw in the much-needed lift for the team to regain financial stability it needs to sustain itself in NASCAR.
What do you think Gragson will be able to do to help the team stay afloat, or will the team go ahead and sell its charters off? Let us know in the comments.