NASCAR champion expresses ‘sad’ feelings about Stewart-Haas Racing’s final decision 

AUTO: APR 11 NASCAR - Sprint Cup Series - Bojangles Southern 500 - Practice - Source: Getty
NASCAR champion makes his ‘sad’ feelings known about Stewart-Haas Racing’s unwanted fate (Getty Images)

Former NASCAR driver Kurt Busch shared his 'sad' feelings as Stewart-Haas Racing ceased operations after the end of the Cup Series season. He also shared a tribute video, showcasing his successful triumphs with the team on social media.

Stewart-Haas Racing announced earlier this year that the team would not be operating after the end of the 2024 season. The team did not reveal the exact reason for this decision. It came down as a tough decision for both the team and their drivers. They were not informed about it either until the news was made public.

2004 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kurt Busch also raced with the team between 2014 and 2018 and gathered multiple wins during this stint. Sharing those moments on his X account, he wrote:

"Sad to see @StewartHaasRcng close its doors. So many great memories, and good people. Together, we made a winning culture right away! #shr ##stewarthaasracing."

Gene Haas will still be operating under the name of Haas Factory Team in the 2025 Cup Series season. The team will have only one charter under their tag, piloted by Cole Custer. He raced in the Cup Series for three seasons with SHR and had been racing in Xfinity as well.


Chase Briscoe on parting with Stewart-Haas Racing: "SHR meant everything"

Chase Briscoe debuted in the Cup Series with Stewart-Haas Racing in the 2021 season and participated full-time up till the final race this season. He spent four seasons behind the wheel of the #14 Ford gathering two wins and 30 top-10 finishes.

Discussing the team's decision to close down, he shared a heartfelt statement, calling his stint an "opportunity" to chase his dream of racing in the Cup Series.

"SHR meant everything. For me, just for one, it was an opportunity to go and really fulfill a dream, something that how many guys in the Cup Series can say they got to drive the car that they physically cheered for as a kid. I don't think any of the other drivers in the Cup Series can say that they get it… You know that's been an incredible place for the last seven years to be able to call home."

As the team decided to close down, Briscoe found his future with Joe Gibbs Racing. Martin Truex Jr. announced his retirement from full-time participation in the NASCAR Cup Series and Chase Briscoe is set to replace him in the team, piloting the #19 Toyota.

Stewart-Haas Racing has been a part of the grid since 2002 as Haas CNC Racing with founder Gene Haas (who also owns the Haas F1 Team). NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart joined the team in 2009 as the driver and a co-owner partnership. The team was then called SHR and he also won the title in 2011.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua
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