Stewart-Haas Racing, a renowned four-car team with an impressive track record of two NASCAR Cup Series championships, has made the difficult decision to shut down its operations at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Co-owners Gene Haas and Tony Stewart released a joint statement explaining their reasoning behind this choice after 15 years of racing success.

The statement emphasized the demanding nature of the sport and the need for unwavering commitment and extensive resources to achieve maximum performance. Haas and Stewart expressed their pride in the wins and championships they have earned over the years, as well as the unique culture and friendships they built within the organization. They acknowledged the commitment they made to their personnel, partners, and fans for the current season, ensuring that it will be upheld until the season finale in Phoenix.

Notably, the statement did not mention the four charters currently held by Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series. These charters guarantee entry in all 36 points-paying races each year and provide a minimum guaranteed payout. However, the current charter agreement is set to expire this year, and there has been no news regarding a new deal. Consequently, there are currently no charters for Stewart-Haas Racing to sell unless an agreement is reached.

The future of the team has been uncertain for some time, particularly following the retirements of Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola as full-time drivers at the end of last year. This departure also led major sponsors Busch Beer and Smithfield to leave the team. In 2024, Stewart-Haas Racing entered the season with four young drivers, who collectively have only one Cup win between them. While the team has shown a slight improvement compared to last year, they still fall short of the expectations set for a four-car operation.

Among the other teams in possession of four charters are Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports, both of which have enjoyed multiple wins and dominate the top spots in the championship standings. In contrast, the highest-ranking Stewart-Haas Racing driver, Chase Briscoe, currently sits in 16th place.

The closure of Stewart-Haas Racing also raises uncertainty for drivers such as Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Ryan Preece. Additionally, the future of experienced crew chiefs, notably Rodney Childers, who has been instrumental in securing 40 wins for the team, remains uncertain.

Stewart-Haas Racing boasts an impressive record with 69 wins at the Cup level, with their most recent victory achieved by Harvick at Richmond Raceway in August 2022. The team secured its first championship title in 2011, courtesy of Tony Stewart, while Harvick clinched the team's second championship in 2014. However, their performance has declined significantly in recent years, with only four wins in the past three seasons after a streak of 26 wins between 2018 and 2020.

The closure of Stewart-Haas Racing will also leave a notable void in Ford Performance's NASCAR Cup program. The team switched to Ford in 2017 and has since become one of the manufacturer's most successful organizations. Although SHR's current Ford deal was set to expire at the end of this season, the specifics of their departure remain unclear.

While the Cup Series operation is coming to an end, Stewart-Haas Racing's two-car Xfinity Series program, featuring drivers Cole Custer and Riley Herbst, is expected to continue in some form in 2025, although not as an SHR entity. Custer won the Xfinity championship in 2023 and remains a strong contender this season, while Herbst claimed his first series win last year and is currently in the playoff hunt.

As Stewart-Haas Racing prepares to bid farewell to the NASCAR Cup Series, the team's lasting impact and winning legacy will undoubtedly be remembered, as fans and industry insiders eagerly await updates regarding the future of the drivers, crew chiefs, and the team's future endeavors in the Xfinity Series.