Dale Earnhardt Jr. evaluated the future of Stewart Haas Racing (SHR). NASCAR recently introduced the Next-Gen cars for 2022, aiming to improve accessibility, fairness, and competitiveness in races. While this decision benefited most NASCAR teams and allowed them to improve, it did not have the same effect for SHR. The team only managed to win three races with the Next-Gen cars, all occurring in the first season. Since 2023, SHR has struggled to be a true contender.
As the team’s poor performance persisted and they lost significant primary sponsors after the retirements of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart, rumors began to circulate that SHR was considering downsizing. However, according to the latest reports, the team may even sell all its licenses in the near future, and Tony Stewart may choose to leave the sport.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his concerns about the rumors surrounding SHR. He believes it would be detrimental for NASCAR to lose someone like Tony Stewart as an owner. Earnhardt Jr., a two-time Xfinity Series champion, hopes that Stewart does not completely walk away from the sport and that the rumors of a sale are not entirely accurate.
During a discussion about Tony Stewart and his legacy, Dale Earnhardt Jr. emphasized that Stewart is an iconic figure in motorsport, having achieved nearly everything in the field. He compared Stewart’s status to that of AJ Foyt, highlighting the importance of his presence in NASCAR. Earnhardt Jr. strongly wishes for the Stewart brand to remain associated with the sport.
If Stewart were to leave NASCAR, that would also have negative implications for public relations. Many fans want to see him continue to be involved with the sport, and would be disappointed if he walked away. The resolution of uncertainties regarding the future of SHR will be intriguing to watch.
