The unexpected disbandment of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many, almost ten months into its closure. As one former insider recollects, the abrupt end of an era brought dreams crashing down, leaving both employees and drivers in a whirlpool of uncertainty.
Emerging into the NASCAR scene in 2008, SHR swiftly climbed the ladder of success, notching up a remarkable 102 victories across three NASCAR tiers, along with three championships. The team’s journey was a roller coaster ride of triumphs and pitfalls, a history that continues to evoke nostalgia among its former members.
However, the cracks in the SHR legacy began to appear in 2023, a year marked by high-profile departures and the loss of key sponsors. Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, concluded his last season with SHR without a single race victory. Close on the heels of this disappointment was the exodus of sponsors including Busch Light, Smithfield Foods, and Anheuser-Busch. The subsequent departure of Harvick and Aric Almirola at the end of 2023 sounded the alarm bells for the once-dominant team.
Despite these setbacks, the newly formed four-driver grid embarked on their 2024 season with renewed optimism. But the announcement of the team’s closure in May 2024 proved to be the final blow, capping the team’s journey with a bitter end.
Greg Zipadelli, former Competition Director of SHR, still finds himself reflecting on the shocking announcement. Having seen the team grow from a two-car to a four-car team, winning Cup championships and Xfinity championships in a span of 13 years, the closure was a hard pill to swallow for Zipadelli. However, he also saw a silver lining in the situation, viewing it as an opportunity to step back and appreciate his successful career in racing.
In the face of the disbandment, Noah Gragson, one of the team’s outgoing drivers, expressed his gratitude towards Zipadelli and team owner Tony Stewart. Gragson, who had joined SHR in 2024 alongside rookie Josh Berry, had a tumultuous journey leading up to his stint with SHR. After being ousted from the Legacy Motor Club due to a social media controversy in 2023, Gragson found a safe haven in SHR, driving the No. 10 Ford previously helmed by Danica Patrick and Aric Almirola.
Despite the bitter end, the memories created by Tony Stewart’s team continue to resonate with its former members. As time heals the wounds left by the abrupt closure, these memories offer a beacon of hope, a testament to the team’s glorious past.