Tony Stewart out but Gene Haas set to retain one NASCAR charter, team to be called Haas Factory Team

NASCAR team owner Gene Haas will continue to compete in NASCAR's national series despite his team's closure post-2024 season. Haas confirmed he would keep his involvement in the sport with one Cup Series and two Xfinity Series charters from the 2025 NASCAR season.

Stewart-Haas Racing co-owners, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas decided to shut their operations and sell their four-car charter team after the end of the current season. After SHR broke the news, Front Row Motorsports was the first to announce their third charter addition to their existing team.

However, this news coincided with the SHR's closure. The NASCAR community then started buzzing with speculation regarding the ownership of SHR charters and the future of SHR Cup drivers.

In a recent announcement, Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation, confirmed he would retain one Cup car from SHR and two Xfinity programs under the Haas Factory Team banner. Haas said (via Jayski):

"My commitment to motorsports hasn’t changed, just the scope of my involvement, Operating a four-car Cup Series team has become too arduous but, at the same time, I still need a platform to promote Haas Automation and grow HaasTooling.com."

"Maintaining my presence in Cup allows Haas Automation to compete at NASCAR’s highest level, which is important to our customers and distributors. The Xfinity Series program provides a full weekend experience for our guests, and it delivers added depth and scale to our overall operation," he added.

However, there hasn't been an announcement concerning the driver, manufacturer, and sponsor involved in the new team. Joe Custer will remain the president of the Haas Factory Team and run their operation from the current Stewart-Haas Racing facility.

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Possible driver for the newly formed entity by Gene Haas

Gene Haas, the co-owner of SHR recently decided to remain in the NASCAR series, albeit on a smaller scale. Haas's new operation will field one Cup car and two Xfinity cars from the next season.

According to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass, the 2023 Xfinity Series Champion, Cole Custer is a possible candidate for the Haas Factory Team.

"Would think Cole Custer, since he's already sponsored by Haas, would have solid shot at this Cup ride (if Haas didn't retain a charter, would think more possible Custer to Front Row w/Haas sponsorship). Whether team has alliance, assembles its own cars, etc., all likely TBD," Pockrass wrote on X.