Tony Stewart Could Be Forced to Cut Down as Retiring Legend Leaves a Hole

As the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season progresses, a cloud of uncertainty looms over Stewart Haas Racing. The future of the team hangs in the balance, with speculations suggesting that Tony Stewart might need to make tough decisions.

Potentially trimming the team down to a two-car operation, they might consider a switch to a different manufacturer as well.

Where did it all go wrong for Tony Stewart?

Tony Stewart, the revered figure in American motorsport, finds himself at a crossroads as he navigates the challenges of a shifting landscape. The departure of a legendary driver and a longstanding sponsor has cast shadows of doubt over Stewart Haas Racing’s future. And so, the decisions that unfold in the coming days could reshape the very fabric of the team.

The impending departure of legendary driver Kevin Harvick, coupled with the exit of longtime sponsor Anheuser-Busch, casts a shadow over the team’s prospects for the future. The 2023 Cup Series season has proven to be a challenging one for Stewart Haas Racing. They don’t have any victories to celebrate across their four-car lineup in the first 25 races. However, amidst this underwhelming performance, the shining star has been Kevin Harvick. Whose outstanding career is set to conclude after 23 seasons. Also, the rumored departure of Aric Almirola along with his sponsor Smithfield Foods could deal another heavy blow for Tony Stewart.

The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi sheds light on the situation of Tony Stewart in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “Speculation surrounding Stewart Haas Racing is that one, maybe two of its charters, could be in play and that is certainly out there,” said Bianchi.

“I can’t confirm that. I have talked to people who say that those Charters could be available. If someone who wants them and that if you’ve got 40-50 million in your pocket and you want a charter. Maybe you go have a conversation with Gene Haas and Tony Stewart.”

“As we said in the show, Aric Almirola is very likely not to return next year,” he added. “I have been told that Smithfield is not coming back, so right there you’ve got a huge sponsorship hole you need to fill and you start looking at all of this puzzle you can understand why there could be some consideration of maybe Stewart Haas Racing is evaluating its future and whether it’s going to continue as a four-car team. It’s gonna be interesting to see how all of this plays out going forward.”

READ MORE: “They’ve Fallen From Grace” – Tony Stewart’s Team Under Major Scrutiny After Disappointing Regular Season With Ford Letting Them Down

Amid the tumult, a ray of optimism shines through for SHR. Chase Briscoe, who has faced his share of struggles this season, delivers a stunning performance at the Daytona Cup race qualifying.

A moment of glory for Stewart Haas Racing as they lock out the front row at Daytona

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Despite Kevin Harvick’s commendable performances, including 11 top-10 finishes, the rest of the team has struggled to shine. The disappointment is further compounded as smaller teams celebrate victories, while SHR remains winless. However, Chase Briscoe’s journey through a challenging season takes a positive turn as he secures the pole position for the regular-season finale.

For Briscoe, this moment on the pole is a much-needed boost. With just six top-10 finishes in 25 races, the young driver has weathered a difficult year. The race at Daytona holds immense significance for Briscoe, as a win is essential for him to clinch a spot in the coveted 16-driver playoff field.

Aric Almirola was also quick throughout the qualifying session. However, the final attempt from Briscoe relegated Almirola to second as SHR locked out the front row. After the qualifying, both Briscoe and Almirola looked excited and ready to go on Saturday.

“It feels good,” said Briscoe after qualifying. “It’s just a testament to all the men and women at Stewart-Haas. For us to lock up the front row is really cool.”

“Certainly brought a lot of speed [to Daytona],” said Almirola. “We’ve had great speedway cars all year long, and this place has been a great place for us. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night. Tonight, we’ll lick our wounds on missing out on the pole. But tomorrow night is the big prize.”

Watch This Story: Tony Stewart’s Team Under Scrutiny After Disappointing Regular Season with Ford

As the curtain descends on the 2023 NASCAR season, a sense of anticipation envelops Stewart Haas Racing. Tony Stewart faces choices that could alter the trajectory of his team and his own legacy. The departure of a legendary driver. The shift in sponsor dynamics and the whispers of downsizing and manufacturer change herald a new chapter for SHR.