As Stewart Haas Racing (SHR) prepares to cease operations at the end of the 2024 NASCAR Cup season, co-owner Tony Stewart has come out swinging against the wave of social media backlash sparked by the announcement. The Ford-backed team, a fixture in NASCAR for years, will be selling three of its charters while transforming the fourth into a new Haas Factory Team led by driver Cole Custer. This unexpected shift has left the NASCAR community in shock, with fans taking to social media to vent their disappointment and frustration.
Stewart didn’t hold back in his response, taking aim at online critics on the “Happy Hour” podcast. “The bashing I got online was really unjust,” Stewart stated. “It’s easy to sit on your couch and criticize, but no one’s offering real solutions. No one’s coming in on Monday morning to tell us how to do it better.”
Beyond defending his decision, Stewart emphasized the effort SHR is making to support employees as they transition out of the organization. He explained that one of SHR’s top priorities this season has been helping team members find new roles, showing a commitment to their future even as operations wind down. “Our focus has been on taking care of our people in what’s a transition year for everyone. I think our group did a great job with that,” Stewart affirmed.
SHR is set to close its NASCAR chapter with the final three races of the season, a time Stewart describes as bittersweet yet filled with determination. As the curtain falls on SHR’s storied legacy, the team is pushing to finish strong, rallying around their last races with emotion and a renewed drive to leave a lasting mark on the track.
