Amid Promise of a Rebuild, Could Mass Sponsor Loss Become a Massive Setback for Stewart-Haas Racing?

In 2023, the Stewart-Haas Racing team endured what was arguably their worst campaign in NASCAR. It was only Kevin Harvick who saved the team from more embarrassment by somehow making it into the playoffs. Sadly, he is no longer around as has retired. Moreover, Aric Almirola, an experienced head in NASCAR, has also moved to the Xfinity Series with Joe Gibbs Racing. Safe to say, SHR is now left with a relatively less-experienced squad.

Unfortunately, with veteran drivers leaving, there is some more bad news for the team. According to reports, Stewart-Haas Racing are expected to lose a bunch of sponsors. The list of sponsors that are parting ways with the team are: Busch Light, Gearwrench, Go Bowling, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Magical Vacation Planner, Pristine Auction, Rheem, and Smithfield. There is some good news though, as Harrison’s has just been confirmed as one of the team’s sponsors, thanks to Josh Berry.

Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola may have triggered the sponsor loss

Some of these sponsors are familiar because Busch Light has been associated with Harvick during his racing days. The same applies to Smithfield, who sponsored Almirola during his Stewart-Haas Racing tenure. The other sponsors have been loosely associated with them, and their loss will be a big blow to the team.

Fortunately, as mentioned before, the new drivers are bringing in some sponsors of their own. Although Tony Stewart has promised a radical change, the proof is in the pudding. One of the drivers is going to have to step up and pick up where Harvick left off. The most likely candidate must be either Chase Briscoe or Ryan Preece, and the former is the more experienced of the two. However, there are also the likes of Josh Berry and Noah Gragson, who are very talented drivers and could help boost the team.

READ MORE: Fans’ Frustration with Tony Stewart and the Team Increases as They See Through the Revamp Smoke

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Stewart-Haas Racing has nothing to lose in 2024

Much has been mentioned about SHR’s poor 2023 campaign. In other words, the 2024 season is do or die for the organization. What may work in their favor is the fact that they will have a new car to play with. In 2022, Ford announced a brand new Mustang dubbed the ‘Dark Horse’. Fast forward to this year, the car will be making its NASCAR debut. It promises to be much faster than its predecessor, so it should give the team hope.

2023 was the team’s first winless season since 2008, and they would like to avoid building on this stat. However, one may not exactly expect miracles in 2024, as the organization will look to rebuild from the ground up. Additionally, they will also have to contend with friendly fire from Team Penske and a resurgent Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.

With that said, fans would have reason to believe in SHR. Earlier this month, Tony Stewart posted a motivational message on social media. He called out doubters who criticized the team. Stewart insisted that they did not know the inner workings of his team. According to him, he and co-owner Gene Haas were actively seeking out challenges.

It is worth mentioning that some of the criticisms started as far back as 2009 when the two parties first began their alliance. But since then, Stewart-Haas Racing has notched up two Cup Series titles, courtesy of Stewart himself, and Kevin Harvick. More recently, the Xfinity Series division clinched the 2023 title, thanks to Cole Custer. So let’s just say all hope is not lost here.

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