NASCAR News: Stewart-Haas Racing to shut down after 2024

Even though Gene Haas will still operate a new NASCAR Cup team, Stewart-Haas Racing, a Kannapolis-based team owned by Gene Haas and three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart, is permanently closing and dismissing (screwing) hundreds of employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice released Monday.

The notice stated the closure would result in 323 layoffs. Affected workers were reportedly notified as of May 28, and the layoffs are set to begin on Nov. 11, with the team fully shuttering on Dec. 31.

Haas or Stewart will purchase the partnership interest from the other, though it’s unclear which of the two will, the notice stated. Once completed, the lone owner will rename the company and reduce staff to around 90-100 employees.

The WARN report advised some current staff members may remain with that newly named company.

May 28, 2024

The following is a joint statement from Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, the co-owners of Stewart-Haas Racing, regarding the future of their NASCAR team following the 2024 season.

“We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly.

“Racing is a labor-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding.

“But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.

“We’re proud of all the wins and championships we’ve earned since joining together in 2009, but even more special is the culture we built and the friendships we forged as we committed to a common cause – winning races and collecting trophies.

“That is the same commitment we made to our personnel, our partners and our fans coming into this year, and that commitment will remain through the season finale at Phoenix.

“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for all of our employees, and we will work diligently to assist them during this transition to find new opportunities beyond the 2024 race season.” Stewart-Haas Racing PR

Sources indicate the plan is for Front Row, 23XI, Trackhouse to each buy one of SHR’s Charters. Fourth charter buyer still unclear.