Stewart Haas Racing announces Kevin Harvick replacement

Berry is expected to be announced as the new driver of the Stewart-Haas Racing No. 4 car on Wednesday. There is some excitement about the move due to Berry's backstory as a driver who has scrapped and clawed to get such an opportunity, but it's hard to expect too many big things in the long run. 

For starters, Berry will be 33 years old at the start of next year, which is incredibly old for a Cup Series rookie. It's not like he's been lighting it up in his Xfinity Series ride with JR Motorsports this year, as he's yet to win and currently ranks fifth in points—notably behind Cole Custer, who SHR cut from its Cup team after last season.

Berry did earn some solid results this season when substituting for Hendrick Motorsports drivers Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman. However, Hendrick right now is a much faster team than SHR, and Berry's average running position of 20.5 indicates he has been more lucky than good.

It's the latest in a number of uninspiring hires for SHR, especially considering the names they've struck out on recently. Last year they were considered among the favorites for Kyle Busch, the type of still-capable veteran that the team clearly needs in a post-Harvick world. On multiple occasions in the past, they were rumored to be interested in Kyle Larson, who'd have become their clear face of the present and future.

Instead, the team's lineup in 2024 will be Berry, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Preece, and potentially another opening with the No. 10 car should Aric Almirola walk away. The only name with star potential being linked to that ride is Truck Series champion Zane Smith, who would need to be bought out of his contract with Front Row Motorsports.

Briscoe is likely to be the team's flagship driver moving forward, and his 2023 season has been such a nightmare that his crew chief was just fired midseason. There's a case to be made that Custer, who seems to be drawing no buzz to return to SHR's Cup team anytime soon, would be its second-best driver in 2024.

Not long ago, Stewart-Haas Racing was one of NASCAR's elite organizations. And while it's not the drivers' faults that the team has fallen into such mediocrity, it's also hard to see any of them bringing the team back to relevance. Berry is likely no exception.