Every success story runs its course, and the end brings heartbreak. After 15 years of glory on NASCAR racetracks, Stewart-Haas Racing is getting ready to shut down for good. The bitter news was released at the end of May, crashing down like a heavy wave on all the team’s employees. Now Tony Stewart and Gene Haas stand at risk of incurring a big loss as well.

A wave of tear-jerking nostalgia is also hitting SHR people at this pivotal time. What especially hits them is the memory of the team’s introductory years. Tony Stewart soared in his ambitions as co-owner and driver, and the team fondly remembers that.

Stewart-Haas Racing commemorates first win

When Gene Haas started Haas CNC Racing in 2002, he barely scraped Victory Lane for the next few years. Veteran Mike Bliss came dangerously close in the NASCAR All-Star Race qualifier in 2005. But Brian Vickers nudged Bliss out of contention within sight of the checkered flag.

Then in 2008, both Gene Haas and Tony Stewart made a big leap – they introduced Stewart-Haas Racing. Stewart, known for his hard-nosed style of racing, fetched immediate success for SHR in 2009 along with teammate Ryan Newman. A solid 15 years later as the team faces its end, SHR remembered its first win by Stewart at Pocono Raceway.

Stewart-Haas Racing posted a video on Instagram and narrated the story. The team was hot in pursuit of its first win. “In 2009, Tony Stewart went into Pocono with his new team of Stewart-Haas Racing, a team that he co-owned with Gene Haas. Although Stewart had won the 2009 All-Star Race, SHR was still searching for its first points-paying win.” 

Stewart faced a hiccup at first but soon prevailed. “After wrecking his primary car in practice, Stewart would go to his backup and start from the rear of the field. Tony would use some fuel strategy to get out in front of Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson and cruise to Stewart-Haas’ first Cup Series win.”

That was only the beginning of a glittering story of wins. In 2009-2010, Stewart and Ryan Newman accumulated seven wins for Stewart-Haas Racing. Then in 2011, Stewart clinched the Cup Series Championship – and you can see the team beaming with pride and ecstasy at Victory Lane. That picture starkly contrasts the team’s fate at present.

Stewart-Haas Racing’s official release exuded the heavy sentiment attached to years of good racing.

SHR is bidding adieu with a heavy heart

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When Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola hung up their firesuits axes were brought down on the SHR fold. Prominent sponsors like Busch Beer and Smithfield Foods left along with the veteran racers. But the new drivers who came – Noah Gragson and Josh Berry – established an unparalleled rapport with their crew chiefs and teams. The level of unity started showing their race results.

So the official team release about shutting down was heavy with emotion, considering what they would be letting go. Ranging from wins to team unity, SHR was leaving a treasure trove. “We’re proud of all the wins and championships we’ve earned since joining together in 2009, but even more special is the culture we built and the friendships we forged as we committed to a common cause — winning races and collecting trophies.”

Hence Tony Stewart’s first win and the other stellar achievements of SHR will be remembered for a long time.