January 12 turned out to be a day of significant twists and turns in the racing world. First up, SRX Racing dropped the news of scrapping their 2024 plans, and hot on its heels came Ray Evernham’s announcement about reviving the legendary IROC cars by the end of 2024. While these two events might seem separate at first glance, they’re linked. Both series share a similar race format, which means they were essentially vying for the same audience’s attention. Now, with IROC’s storied reputation and its pull among drivers from diverse motorsport backgrounds, it raises the question: Did SRX Racing decide to step aside for the bigger fish?

Regardless of the behind-the-scenes reasons, SRX racing enthusiasts are understandably gutted. In response, SRX Racing’s CEO, Donald Hawk, took to his official Twitter account to share a message that struck a chord with the fans.

Donald Hawk thanks everyone, and calls it a “heck of a ride”

Today, Tony Stewart‘s SRX Racing dropped a bombshell, announcing that this year’s races are off the table due to market challenges. It was quite the jolt, especially since just last August, the Camping World Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) unveiled their 2024 schedule, set to shine on ESPN’s “Thursday Night Thunder.” The series, spanning six races, was all geared up to kick off on July 11 at Stafford Speedway and wrap up on August 15 at an undisclosed track.

However, tables turned following Ray Evernham’s revelation about his plans to reboot the IROC series after a 17-year break. Amidst this backdrop, SRX Racing’s CEO, Donald Hawk, took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the incredible journey with SRX.

His message read,  “Tonight as I reflect on @SRXracing I’m thankful for the owners who text me December 23, 2021 asking me to come here and help get it running again. I’m thankful for the vision of the founders and the HOF crew chief owner and car designer. I’m thankful for the support on and off the track by the HOF part owner, driver and friend. I’m thankful for the employees in the office, shop and on the road both past and present. I’m thankful for the sponsors we had. […]”.

Continuing, he added, “[…] It was a special kind of two years. We had some good moments and bad moments BUT “we had some mic drop moments and memories for so many fans all across the USA.” Thank you – I was blessed to gain a lot of new friends along the way and to spend some priceless times with old ones. I hope I didn’t miss anyone, I’m sorry if I did. It was one heck of a ride……and oh yeah, I’m not retiring yet. Hope to see you around soon. Sincerely, thank you everyone.”

Watch This Story: Tony Stewart’s insider claims to mimic Rick Hendrick’s blueprint for success 

But his poignant post left many wondering – if SRX Racing’s pause is just for a season, why does this feel like a farewell? The tone of finality has sparked speculation: Is SRX Racing bowing out for good?

Could this be the checkered flag for SRX Racing?

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The inaugural season of the SRX Racing series in 2021 was like a breath of fresh air, reviving the spirit of the classic IROC. It was a thrilling mix, pitting big names like Chase Elliott against his dad, Bill Elliott, and bringing together drivers from various disciplines to compete against local heroes, all under the bright lights of a national CBS broadcast. It was a golden opportunity for fans to see their retired favorites back in action and breathe new life into some of America’s legendary short tracks.

However, by the end of Season 2, the series began to lose its initial sparkle, especially with Ray Evernham stepping away. While the official word was just a “postponement” of the season, with promises of future updates, bouncing back from such a pause is often easier said than done.

Read More: NASCAR News: Shocking Disappointment as Tony Stewart’s SRX Series Cancelled for 2024 Season

Imagine the hurdles of kick-starting SRX Racing again in 2025. Who’s going to assemble the cars and round up the track crews? Will drivers and tracks be keen to jump back in with both feet for a six-race comeback, especially when a series like IROC would have already started?

Then about ESPN: after wrapping up what was supposed to be a “multi-year” deal in just one season, would they still be up for broadcasting the SRX races? Their statement to The Athletic, saying, “We enjoyed our relationship with SRX and wish them all the best,” sounds more like a goodbye than a see-you-later. So, we might have witnessed the final lap for SRX.