Tony Stewart Prepares to Let Veteran Go for Young Gun, Hoping to Fight Off Sponsorship Woes

The race for the championship trophy is in full swing, with the finish line still several weeks away. But the rumor mill is already fishing out next season’s possibilities. It often snags Tony Stewart at the end of its hook. The 4x champion and team owner of Stewart-Haas Racing provided unlimited fodder this season. His key players solemnly watching from the sidelines raise the question, what now?

It was challenging enough for Stewart to find one major Cup replacement this year. The looming probability of finding another suitable racer is downright formidable. And then there is the biggest hurdle of them all.

NASCAR insider shared intriguing news about Tony Stewart’s #10 car

Tony Stewart’s star racer, Kevin Harvick, announced his retirement at the beginning of this season. But SHR’s #10 driver Aric Almirola prepared his departure a year before Harvick. Almirola reconsidered his decision halfway through the series and remained a full-time driver this year. But his lackluster performance drew constant speculations about his continued presence next season. Despite that, there has been no confirmation in either direction by Almirola or his team. Or is there?

O’Reilly Auto Parts Pit Reporters reached out to Fox Sports analyst Bob Pockrass for the inside scoop on the team. Brett McMillan asked the pressing question on the entire racing community’s mind. He enquired, “We know he [Almirola] was going to retire before this year, decided to come back. He hasn’t said anything about his plans for next year yet, has he?”

Pockrass reiterated the official stand by responding, “He has not, at least, not publicly, for sure.” But he followed that up with the behind-the-scenes information he possessed.

“I think the consensus in the industry is that he won’t be back in the #10 cup car next year. Does that mean he won’t race anything? I don’t know. But there’s still people talking to Stewart-Haas about the # 10…But if you asked me to make a guess, I would guess, an educated guess I would say, that Almirola won’t be back in that car next year.”

Such a ringing pronouncement invariably leads to the next question. Who will take his place? Pockrass has the perfect candidate lined up for Tony Stewart.

Watch this story: NASCAR Community Holds Tony Stewart Guilty as Chase Elliott Takes HMS Across the Line

Can Tony Stewart find a sponsor in time for an Xfinity upgrade?

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Although Tony Stewart’s team was eliminated from the Cup Series playoffs, there is one overlooked gem deserving of the premier berth. The sole placeholder for Stewart-Haas Racing, Cole Custer who is cruising through the Xfinity playoffs. After two incredible wins, the #00 driver blocked his playoff spot early in the year. And then secured a place in the next Round of 8 through consistent performances in the playoff races so far. Regardless of how far he carries his team on his lone shoulders, his sheer talent cannot be denied.

Bob Pockrass came to the same conclusion when he mused, “You look at what Cole Custer’s done on the Xfinity side and you got to wonder, would any of them be better than Cole and will they just move Cole up”? Unfortunately, he is well aware of the tricks of the trade. Fielding a driver in the Cup Series requires far more than skill and talent. It requires excessive funds. And without sponsorship deals in place, the brightest stars may remain neglected.

Pockrass explained, “And if somebody does come in with some dollars, I would think they would look at it. But never say never and things have changed so much in the last months on a lot of things.” Never say never indeed. The champion team owner must hold on to this optimistic expression as he navigates the changing of the guards to revive his team’s former glory.

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