Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has announced plans to shut down its entire NASCAR Cup Series organization at the end of the current season. The decision, which will affect several hundred employees, marks the end of a two-time championship team that has won 69 Cup races. Team members, including driver Chase Briscoe, expressed their surprise and sadness over the closure. Briscoe, who has been with SHR for seven years, stated in a video statement that he and the entire organization will be seeking new opportunities in the Cup Series. The future of SHR's Xfinity teams and car-supplier business remains uncertain, with speculation that they might be restructured into a new entity. The announcement follows months of speculation within the NASCAR community, with many insiders noting that those close to co-owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas were not entirely surprised by the decision.
Nov. 17, 2014. Tony Stewart and Gene Haas sat in the Miami media center asking, "Do you think we're crazy now?" It worked for over a decade but now an organization built on the backbone of talented, scrappy, and determined people is coming to an end: https://t.co/3NB7lJhJeY
In a video statement released on Tuesday, @ChaseBriscoe_14 said “I never thought this day would come" as @StewartHaasRcng announces plans to shut down its entire #NASCAR Cup Series organization. https://t.co/YxncGJwQwn
I don't anyone in the garage and certainly anyone who has talked to Tony Stewart or Gene Haas in recent months is surprised by this. But the closing of a two-time championship team, winners of 69 Cup races, with several hundred employees, that's sad. https://t.co/s2AigWZOr8
Stewart Haas has been home to my family and I for the last 7 years and at the end of the year myself and the entire organization will be looking for a new home and new opportunities in the Cup series. I have amazing partners behind me and can’t wait to get them back in victory… https://t.co/uXkPGN7pH7
Story on SHR shutting down at the end of this season: https://t.co/pmY7dqQgni https://t.co/7dngH6tGdU
SHR is closing. Wouldn't be surprised if the Xfinity teams and the car-supplier business is siphoned off into a new business/company/team. https://t.co/mFFStbHESQ
🗣️ “This’ll be a decision that not just one person will make.” #NASCAR’s Elton Sawyer says @TeamHendrick hadn’t filed a waiver request for @KyleLarsonRacin as of Tuesday morning and outlined the process they’ll go through in this instance. More → https://t.co/MKhd9eLXG8 https://t.co/RjkSD32JR2
The closing down of Stewart-Haas Racing is something that'll be studied and hopefully someone will write a book about or Brock will do a documentary on down the line. We thought Everham Motorsports's rise and fall was something, this will undoutbedly top it #NASCAR https://t.co/HD7LwAZHVx
All eyes will be on Stewart-Haas Racing tomorrow as they plan to inform employees on its future plans. 📰👀 https://t.co/WbJL5k7lfn