NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas released from prison

Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas was released from prison Friday after serving about 16 months for tax fraud and has received permission from a U.S. District Court judge to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release.

Haas’ projected release was Sunday, but the federal Bureau of Prisons’ Web site indicated that Haas was released Friday.

Haas was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2007 and entered a Lompoc, Calif., federal correctional facility Jan. 14, 2008.

He has asked the court, and received permission, to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. The first race mentioned in the motion is the upcoming Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.