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STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 12: Tony Stewart waits on the grid prior to the Inaugural Superstar Racing Experience Event at Stafford Motor Speedway on June 12, 2021 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/SRX via Getty Images)
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STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONNECTICUT – JUNE 12: Tony Stewart waits on the grid prior to the Inaugural Superstar Racing Experience Event at Stafford Motor Speedway on June 12, 2021 in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. (Photo by Elsa/SRX via Getty Images)
Stewart-Haas Racing just can’t seem to catch a break. Ever since their team meeting in the off-season, Tony Stewart has expressed great concerns about the situation of his beloved Cup Series team. However, with rumors of the team owner’s lack of involvement in recent races giving way to charter sale speculations, their future isn’t looking too bright.
That being said, if Stewart-Haas does end up selling their charters, which teams could swoop in and expand their Cup Series domain? With NASCAR’s popularity on the rise, Stewart Haas Racing’s misfortunes may be an opportunity for smaller teams to grow more competitive and build a hold for the coming seasons.
Can Front Row Motorsports take over Stewart-Haas Racing as Ford’s top dogs?
When Michael McDowell announced his exit from Front Row Motorsports for Spire Motorsports, executives from the two-charter team were left with the dilemma of finding a driver for the #34 Mustang Darkhorse. But with Stewart-Haas Racing rumored to be selling a few, if not all, of their charters for $20–30 million each, Front Row Motorsports may need to line up more than just one driver for 2025. According to Eric Estepp, FRM is most likely to purchase two charters from SHR and field a four-car entry in the Cup Series.
Not only would this make FRM the key partner in the Cup Series for Ford, but such a deal could also mean the manufacturer steps in to further back the possible four-charter team’s development. Estepp shared in a YouTube video, “Front Row Motorsports general manager, Jerry Frees said recently that they’d like to get to three charters..I also think Front Row will move into, at least part of, Stewart Haas Racing’s campus. They’ll need that extra space, I think Ford will help supplement the cost. I think that’s the transition.”
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Stewart Haas Racing, Tony Stewart, Josh Berry, Ryan Preece, Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson
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If there’s any merger between Stewart-Haas Racing and another team, it has to be Front Row Motorsports, according to Estepp. With FRM taking over two charters, a lot of SHR’s young talent could find themselves with a seat for the future. Estepp added, “That’s where Cole Custer to the #34 comes into play. He’s a Cup Series winner, defending Xfinity Series champion, and he gets another shot in the Cup Series. Noah Gragson has revitalized his career from sponsorships with Bass Pro Shops and other loyal partners. I think he gets the #36.”
Apart from Gragson and Cole Custer, Eric Estepp believes Josh Berry could be in luck if FRM decided to buy four charters. Although Berry hasn’t had the best of seasons, his close connection with one of NASCAR’s greatest crew chiefs could work in FRM’s favor. Estepp concluded, “We know Rodney Childres is a huge Josh Berry cheerleader, and that’s the kind of established crew chief that could come over and build Front Row Motorsports into a contender. I’ll give Josh Berry a seat and of course, Todd Gilliland stays in the #38 car, they love him over there.”
Whilst Front Row Motorsports could swoop two of Stewart-Haas Racing’s charters ahead of the 2025 season, what about the remaining half of Tony Stewart and Gene Haas’ stake in NASCAR?
Could Justin Marks speed up Trackhouse Racing’s Cup Series trajectory with a charter purchase?
With Spire Motorsports purchasing a third charter from Live-Fast Motorsports for $40 million, the prospect of getting a charter for nearly half of that at $20 million will certainly entice one man; Justin Marks. With Trackhouse Racing having four talented drivers Shane van Gisbergen, Zane Smith, Daniel Suarez, and Ross Chastain, the fact that only two have full-time seats in the Cup Series will not suffice for long.
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According to Estepp, securing an in-house seat for Zane Smith will be essential for Trackhouse Racing, he said, “They have to be aggressive, they have to make some moves this year. I think they get one charter for Zane Smith, Zane is a Truck Series champion. I know his rookie year has been a struggle, but by bringing him in-house, I think he’ll flourish. I know he’s better than what he’s shown this year.”
At the same time, Estepp believes Shane van Gisbergen might not have a seat with Trackhouse Racing so soon. Despite flashes of greatness in both Cup and Xfinity, the Australian Supercars veteran still has a long way to go in oval racing. Estepp concluded, “He’s more than capable on the road courses, but NASCAR is so much more than the road courses. I don’t think they need to rush him to Cup just yet.”
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After taking a look at all the possible prospects for Stewart-Haas Racing’s future replacements, who do you think could take over one of NASCAR’s greatest teams of the modern era?
