How Kyle Larson Was the ‘Beginning of the End’ for Tony Stewart’s Investment in NASCAR and His Imminent Downfall

Stewart-Haas Racing fans have to face their worst fear. The team will shut down by the end of the 2024 season and, after a campaign filled with championship highs and heartbreaking woes, the rumors about SHR selling their charters have come true. But where did it all go wrong? According to YouTube insider, Eric Estepp, the answer lies in the fateful off-season before Kyle Larson made the move to Hendrick Motorsports. Whilst Larson’s decision has paid dividends thus far, Tony Stewart not only lost a promising driver but could have also opened Pandora’s Box for Stewart-Haas Racing.

When Tony Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing to form his team, little did anyone know just how successful that venture would be. In only a few years of Stewart-Haas Racing’s existence, the team co-founded by Stewart and Gene Haas achieved heights never previously reckoned with by a driver-turned-owner. Unfortunately, it didn’t take time for SHR to draw parallels to Icarus- flying too close to the sun, and paying the consequences.

Did Tony Stewart’s interest in NASCAR fade away when Kyle Larson joined HMS?

Recently, Kevin Harvick’s shots at Tony Stewart’s leadership revealed his diminishing interest in the sport. But with how SHR was doing only a few years ago, what went so wrong? When veteran Clint Bowyer retired and departed SHR at the end of 2020, Tony Stewart had major shoes to fill in for the 2021 season. This, according to Estepp, was the moment it all changed for SHR.

In his YouTube video, Eric Estepp opined, “2020 I think was a pivotal year for Stewart-Haas Racing. With Clint Bowyer retiring, many wondered if that #14 car was a possible landing spot for Kyle Larson.” One of the biggest names in American motorsport, Kyle Larson, was a free agent. Naturally, this led many fans to speculate that he would be the perfect fit for the #14 car. Unfortunately, higher powers connected to Stewart-Haas Racing felt otherwise.

The insider added, “

You have to remember, at this time Kevin Harvick was in the middle of a nine-win season. Stewart-Haas looked like a very appealing destination, but Kyle Larson wound up with Hendrick instead.” Despite his best efforts to bring home the multidisciplinary star, Tony Stewart was stopped by SHR’s own partner.

Estepp highlighted a comment Stewart made on Instagram that revealed what truly unfolded,

“I tried for the last 4 years. Ford wouldn’t approve it. I TRIED.” With Tony Stewart’s pursuit of Larson denied by Ford, Estepp believes this loss led to the 2x champ losing interest in the Cup Series. “There’s no way to know if Stewart-Hass would have won the Kyle Larson sweepstakes if Ford had given their blessing, but many fans point to this moment as the beginning of the end. This was the moment Tony Stewart’s interest in NASCAR went away.”

As a result, Estepp felt that in the weeks and months that followed this incident, he went to NHRA Drag Racing and even established the Superstar Racing Experience. In fact, he felt that ‘Smoke’ was everywhere apart from NASCAR.

Over the following seasons, Tony Stewart’s animosity with Stewart-Haas Racing‘s results only further worsened the distance. It got to a point where the SHR leader shifted the blame onto his drivers and crew chief. Unfortunately, once SHR lost Larson as a prospect, it was only a matter of time before the team fell into oblivion. With Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola’s departure last season, SHR had reached the bitter end of fighting for trips to the victory lane.

With that being said, now that Stewart-Haas Racing is shutting shop at the end of 2024, what happens to their charters, and more importantly, the young driver lineup?

The ripple effects of Stewart-Haas Racing’s departure

With Stewart-Haas Racing exiting NASCAR next season, four charters are up for grabs. According to rumors, Front Row Motorsports was touted to pick up two of SHR’s charters. With Bob Pockrass recently confirming that FRM has indeed purchased one charter, it can only be assumed that the charter belonged to SHR. Furthermore, Pockrass also highlighted the other prominent prospects for the remaining charters.

The veteran insider shared in a tweet, “Sources indicate Front Row, 23XI and Trackhouse will each obtain one of the SHR charters. The fourth is more unclear. Legacy, RFK and JTG have all indicated interest in expanding, but I do not expect them to be in play for any of the SHR charters (and JRM is not as well).” Regarding Pockrass’ revelation, Eric Estepp believes that at least half of the SHR driver lineup may also have seats for next season.

Chase Briscoe’s most likely destination seems to be Wood Brothers Racing. So far, Briscoe has only been bested by Noah Gragson occasionally and could be a vital contributor to the Wood Brothers’ revival. Moving over to the remaining lineup, Front Row Motorsports could have not one, but two seats for SHR drivers. Eric Estepp added, “Let’s say Cole Custer gets one. What about Josh Berry? That was my prediction last week, I still feel good about it. Josh Berry is an experienced racecar driver he’s run very well lately.”

This would leave Ryan Preece and Noah Gragson as the only ones remaining in SHR without a seat. Whilst Preece may not stand a shot at the Cup Series for much longer, Noah Gragson could sign the deal of a lifetime, according to reports. Estepp stated that Noah Gragson will be in the Cup somewhere. As per rumors, Richard Childress Racing could be interested in purchasing a third charter for him.

Whilst it’s safe to say that the SHR driver lineup may have alternatives for 2025, which driver do you think is most likely to remain without a seat?