Why Martinsville is the most important race for Stewart-Haas Racing in a long time

Needless to say, it's been a rough stretch for Stewart-Haas Racing over the past few seasons. 

After Kevin Harvick won nine races for the team in 2020, it only won one race in 2021 before only collecting three victories in 2022. In 2023, the team went winless, and with Harvick retiring after 2023, it seemed like Stewart-Haas was in the worst spot it had been in since the late 2000s. 

While none of its drivers currently reside in the top 16 in points, Chase Briscoe sits a decent 18th, while Josh Berry and Noah Gragson have shown flashes of potential with solid finishes in a few races this year. However, the team has failed to see all four of its cars in contention for a win this year. Martinsville might be where that changes. 

Last year in the Martinsville spring race, Preece won the pole and led the first 135 laps before a pit road penalty set him back. Two SHR cars in Briscoe (fifth) and Aric Almirola (sixth) finished in the top 10, with Harvick surprisingly bringing up the rear for the organization, though he did lead 20 laps. 

Martinsville is the most important race in a long time for Stewart-Haas Racing, simply because it's their best chance to win early in the season. At a time when their future relationship with Ford is shaky, a big win, or even getting all four cars in the top ten would make a big statement. 

All SHR can seem to find within the media right now is criticism, but Sunday's race at Martinsville is their chance to shut the pundits up. 

The Cook Out 400 airs at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon. The race will be aired on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.