Tony Stewart’s decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) after the 2024 season has created lasting effects for NASCAR drivers heading into 2025, with the Tony Stewart decision impact on NASCAR drivers 2025 already visible through shifting team lineups and unexpected career turns. The move pushed established names such as Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Josh Berry, and Ryan Preece into a scramble for new opportunities just as the racing world looked to the future.
Drivers Search for New Teams After Stewart-Haas Exits
When Stewart announced that Stewart-Haas Racing would dissolve following the 2024 campaign, the reaction was immediate and widespread among fans and professionals. While many expected the sale of team charters, few predicted a complete shutdown, leaving all four of the team’s Cup Series drivers suddenly searching for new paths. Quickly, Briscoe signed with Joe Gibbs Racing, Berry landed at Wood Brothers Racing, and Gragson joined Front Row Motorsports. Meanwhile, Ryan Preece, who struggled to find a seat as the season ended, ultimately secured an offer from <a href="https://slicksandsticks.com/tag/rfk-racing/”>RFK Racing—an outcome that surprised some but impressed many.
Among these moves, Preece’s story stands out, with his current performance drawing praise from RFK Racing co-owner Brad Keselowski. Despite doubts about Preece’s prior results, Keselowski emphasized the driver’s impressive dedication. He reflected on his decision-making process, sharing,
‘What do you see here?’ or ‘I don’t know if this is a good move?’’ I just felt really strong about it,
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Co-owner.
Keselowski praised Preece’s qualities, saying,
I liked his work ethic, I like his talent,
—Brad Keselowski, 2012 NASCAR Cup champion.
Drawing comparisons to Chris Buescher, another successful driver who once faced skepticism, Keselowski suggested Preece had been held back by circumstances at SHR, remarking that,
It just felt like the burden was on us to put him in the right position. To allow him to thrive in the scheme that was made for him, and he has done just that.
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Co-owner.
He also expanded on Preece’s attitude both on and off the track, explaining,
He has put in the effort. He is very hungry. He is very driven. He is in a spot where he has people who believe in him, who are engaged with him. In a system that is very supportive and he is showing what he can do.
—Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing Co-owner.
Preece Finds Momentum After a Season of Uncertainty
With Stewart-Haas Racing’s closure, the 2025 NASCAR season marks a turning point for former team members. For Ryan Preece, this moment of uncertainty brought an unexpected breakthrough. After years of inconsistent results, Preece has already secured a top-five result and four top-ten finishes in the first 13 races with RFK Racing, equaling his best seasonal tally before the year’s halfway point. His improvement stands as a testament to new opportunities provided at RFK, and the renewed belief shown by both Brad Keselowski and Jack Roush.
Preece compared his experience to that of Josh Berry, another former SHR driver, highlighting the recurring insecurity both have faced throughout their racing careers. Both men confronted the looming threat of being left without a ride after the 2024 season, underscoring the often-precarious nature of top-level NASCAR careers. The unpredictability of their trajectories illustrates the uncertainty that comes with the sport, especially in the wake of a major team’s demise.
Ryan Preece remains grateful for those who stood by him as he battled through upheaval, with special thanks going to RFK figures like Keselowski and Jack Roush. He repeatedly acknowledged Keselowski and fellow driver Chris Buescher for their ongoing support during his transition period and also recognized the essential role played by his sponsors in enabling his comeback.
Looking Ahead: Lasting Changes from the Stewart Shutdown
The closure of Stewart-Haas Racing has already affected the Cup Series landscape, with teams like RFK Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, and Front Row Motorsports reshuffling their lineups. Preece’s resurgence at RFK is an undeniable story, and Keselowski remains confident that doubters will soon view Preece’s progress just as they did Chris Buescher’s success in the #17 car—once questioned, now proven. The Tony Stewart decision impact on NASCAR drivers 2025 continues to unfold, with drivers, team partners, and fans alike watching closely as careers are reconstructed and fresh rivalries take shape in the next chapter of the NASCAR Cup Series.
