Stewart-Haas Racing searching for another storybook Sonoma win amid team's forthcoming closure

Last week, Stewart-Haas Racing announced that they would close their doors at the conclusion of the 2024 season. With the news official, there's never been a better time for the team to break through for another storybook win at Sonoma Raceway, just as team co-owner Tony Stewart did in 2016. 

During Stewart's final full-time NASCAR Cup Series season in 2016, the circuit once more visited the winding hills of Sonoma. After missing the first eight races of the season due to injury, Stewart would need a win to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. However, his first seven starts of the year bore little fruit, as he had just two top-10 finishes in his seven starts and sat just 35th in points. 

Needing both a win and to break into the top 30 in points to secure a playoff bid, Stewart drove the wheels off his No. 14 Chevrolet at Sonoma, beating and banging his way past the No. 11 Toyota Camry of Denny Hamlin in what would prove to be his final career win. 

It was a perfect, heartwarming sendoff for a three-time champion who would race his way into the sunset that November. 

Eight years later, the team Stewart co-owns will drive off into the sunset for good, ceasing operations at the end of the season. Whether it be Chase Briscoe in Stewart's No. 14, rookie Josh Berry in the No. 4, veteran Ryan Preece in the No. 41, or a resurgent Noah Gragson in the No. 10, the time has never been better for a Stewart-Haas driver to catch lightning in a bottle at the California road course. 

A win for any of SHR's four drivers would grant the winning driver an automatic playoff berth and be the perfect sendoff for a team that has been a staple of NASCAR since 2009. 

Briscoe might have the best shot at winning on Sunday, as he has proven to be the best road racer of the bunch despite never finishing better than 13th at Sonoma. Stewart-Haas cars haven't had winning speed in 2024, but another win for the No. 14 car when they desperately need one would be fitting. 

Sometimes, storybook scenarios play out in sports when you least expect them. A Stewart-Haas victory on Sunday certainly wouldn't be expected, but it would be the perfect way for NASCAR fans to say goodbye to a team that has become an intrinsic part of the sport.