Tony Stewart Shuts Down Rumors as $49.03 Billion Manufacturers Distraction Raised Questions

With the current racing year drawing closer to its climax, driver and sponsorship contracts for 2024 have been flying all over the place. One of the most recent shocks that the NASCAR community took on that regard involved Hailie Deegan. Despite her poor performances, the 22-year-old had not only found a way to stay in NASCAR but had also found a seat in the Xfinity Series. Following her announcement, one of the most circulated rumors was that her move would spell trouble in the corner of the table where Tony Stewart sat.

American car manufacturer Ford provides the cars to the Xfinity Series team of Stewart. With Deegan’s move to the higher tier and the uncertainty surrounding Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), many expected the $49.03B manufacturer to withdraw their support for the team in favor of Deegan. But an exciting announcement from SHR has put that rumor to rest.

Stewart-Haas Racing retains the support of its manufacturer despite a lackluster season

One of the main reasons for the whispers of Ford breaking their relationship with SHR was their association with Deegan. Currently driving in the Truck Series, she has been a Ford Performance driver for years now. With her move to AM Racing, it was a given that Ford would continue supporting her in Xfinity. Putting this together with the possibility that SHR’s drivers might not stay with the team come 2024, it was an easy guess as to why the manufacturer might want to end their collaboration with Stewart.

As the suspense on the prospect kept rising, the legend has now broken off the chains with the announcement of extending Riley Herbst’s driver contract. Herbst currently drives the No. 98 SHR Ford Mustang in the Xfinity Series. His contract extension means that Ford will stay with Stewart-Haas Racing in the year to come. Announcing the deal on their “X” handle, the racing outfit wrote, “The Monster is back”.

2024 will mark Herbst’s 4th consecutive season with SHR and Ford. With the 24-year-old’s return ensuring the Ford assurance, Tony Stewart will breathe a sigh of relief. Reacting to the positive news, fans too finally saw the clouds clear. One user wrote, “At least we know that SHR is not shutting down their Xfinity program confirmed”. Another follower was rather taken aback by Herbst’s decision. He’d replied, “I’m kinda surprised. Thought he would go somewhere else. He seemed pretty frustrated for the last few months with the SHR cars.” 

Finding the answer to at least one question that surrounds him at the moment, Tony Stewart’s hopes of having a better season than the ongoing one will be renewed.

Watch This Story: Stewart Haas Racing: A Season of Uncertainty

Can Herbst’s extension to 2024 mean a better future for Stewart-Haas Racing?

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The young driver will have Monster Energy back as his primary sponsor again next year. Though he did not make the playoffs this season, he has proven himself to be a very skilled contender in seasons past. Over his 4 seasons in this tier of NASCAR, he has accumulated 67 top-10 finishes and 23 top-five finishes. The potential that a driver of his caliber would continue bringing to SHR will not be menial. Expressing his pleasure in continuing to drive for Tony Stewart, Herbst wrote on his “X” handle, “I’m excited to continue my relationship with @StewartHaasRcng driving the no. 98 in 2024!”

Should Cole Custer, SHR’s No. 00 driver, remain with the outfit in 2024, SHR could potentially have two drivers in the run for the championship once again. But next time, the competition from within Ford itself will be tougher. Along with Deegan’s ride, the manufacturer will have more cars on the grid next season. While this increases the chances for a Ford to take the championship trophy, it also means that Tony Stewart will want his drivers to be better than their counterparts at AM Racing. We will have to wait to see if Deegan will end up causing further trouble for the NASCAR legend in her new car.

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