Report: Big changes coming to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024 and beyond
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has been a big disappointment, with no wins for the four-car organization through the first 25 races. The only real bright spot all year has been the performance of Kevin Harvick in his 23rd and final season. The future Hall of Famer will retire and move up to the Fox broadcast booth in 2024.
Interestingly, the departure of the 47-year-old could be the first of several big changes for the organization next year and beyond, according to The Athletic's Jordan Bianchi. During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he said changes could include the departure of Aric Almirola, the possible reduction to a two-car team and the potential switching of manufacturer from Ford to Chevrolet.
Tony Stewart and Gene Haas knew the 2023 campaign would be bittersweet as they watched Harvick wrap up an impressive career that has included 60 wins and the 2014 championship, but they never could have imagined how it would all unfold on and off the track.
While Harvick has been a stalwart, recording 11 top-10 finishes, including six in the top five, the three other drivers have combined for just nine top-10 results. It's undeniably been a struggle, made even worse when watching smaller organizations like RFK Racing and Front Row Motorsports make multiple trips to victory lane.
That's just what's happening on the track.
Off the track, SHR was dealt a serious blow when it was announced that Harvick's longtime sponsor, Anheuser-Busch, was leaving after the 2023 season to partner with Trackhouse Racing and Ross Chastain.
In the middle of "silly season," rumors have been swirling in recent weeks about SHR and what the future might hold. Bianchi offered more details into the organization and potential big changes coming in the future.
"The speculation surrounding Stewart-Haas Racing is that one, maybe two of its charters could be in play," he said. "That is certainly out there. I can't confirm that. I have talked to people who say that those charters could be available if someone who wants them and that if you've got 40, 50 million in your pocket, maybe you go have a conversation with Gene Haas and Tony Stewart."
Added Bianchi:
"There's definitely some smoke — pardon the pun — about the future of Stewart-Haas Racing and the direction it may head. It is, as we said on the show, Aric Almirola is very likely not to return next year. I have been told that Smithfield is not coming back... So you start looking at all of the puzzle, you can understand why there could be some consideration of maybe Stewart-Haas Racing is evaluating its future and whether it's going to continue as a four-car team."
SHR fans thought the 2023 season would be memorable because of Harvick's farewell tour. It will certainly be remembered for that, and depending on what happens, it might also be viewed as the year when the organization morphed into something very different than its reputation as one of the top teams in the Cup garage.
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