The Ricky Stenhouse Jr. team driver exit will occur at the conclusion of the 2025 World of Outlaws season, with Sheldon Haudenschild departing after eight years with Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing. The announcement, made on Thursday, confirmed that both sides are ending their long-term partnership following several seasons marked by strong performances and consistent results.
Haudenschild joined the team following his Rookie of the Year award in 2016 with Haudenschild Racing., stepping into the No. 17 Sprint Car. Over his tenure, he accumulated 44 victories, placing him as the 19th most successful driver on the all-time World of Outlaws list. His time with the team resulted in three top-five points finishes, with his best overall standing being fourth place in 2020. Haudenschild has also demonstrated remarkable consistency, never finishing lower than seventh in final points during his stretch with the group.
In a statement shared via the team, it was explained,
“With immense gratitude to Ricky, Richard, and the entire Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing team, and after thoughtful consideration, Sheldon Haudenschild has made the decision to part ways with the No. 17 at the conclusion of the 2025 World of Outlaws season.”
Haudenschild reflected on his departure, acknowledging the importance of the relationships developed during his run with the team. He commented,
“Driving the No. 17 has been an incredible chapter in my career. I’m thankful to Ricky, Richard, the crew, and all of our partners for the opportunities we’ve had together. We’ve made some great memories and I’ll always value my time with this team.” — Sheldon Haudenschild, Driver
The driver currently holds fifth in the World of Outlaws standings, having already secured two feature race wins and finishing in the top five on 26 occasions this season. He is set to complete the remainder of the 2025 campaign before making his departure.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Addresses His Future and HYAK Motorsports Speculation
While Haudenschild prepares for his exit, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was also in the spotlight regarding his status at HYAK Motorsports. Recent rumors swirled about Stenhouse leaving the team, but he addressed these directly during a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio appearance. Stenhouse reaffirmed his ongoing commitment to HYAK, expressing his intention to remain until his current contract concludes in 2026.
“We redid my contract last year with HYAK motor sports, and you know, so I’m here through 26, and unless they tell me otherwise or unless we redo another one and stay there for longer…..So I’ll be at the 47, you know, the rest of this year and the off-season and going into 26,” he said. — Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver
This reassurance comes as Stenhouse endures a challenging season in NASCAR. Aside from notching two top-ten finishes at Echopark Speedway and another at Texas Motor Speedway, his most notable result this year is a fifth-place finish at Atlanta. Qualifying highlights include a front row start at Bristol Motor Speedway. Throughout 2024, Stenhouse has faced adversity, registering three DNFs and becoming involved in on-track incidents, notably with Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports, including an altercation after the Mexico City race.
Additional rumors had connected Stenhouse with a possible drive at Spire, potentially replacing Justin Haley. For now, those plans seem to be on hold. Haley, who pilots the No. 7 Chevy, is currently just one spot behind Stenhouse in the standings at 30th and leads in both average start and finish position categories.
Looking Ahead: Impact on Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing and Future Moves
With Haudenschild’s confirmed departure after the 2025 World of Outlaws season, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing faces a significant change in its driver lineup for the first time in nearly a decade. His exit will likely prompt the team to look for a new lead driver capable of continuing the team’s legacy of competitive results and consistency. The team’s stability and performance may hinge on their ability to attract fresh talent and maintain key partnerships that were built over Haudenschild’s eight-year stretch.
The developments also underline the evolving landscape within both sprint car circles and NASCAR. While Sheldon Haudenschild’s exit concludes a notable chapter, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.‘s clarified commitment to HYAK Motorsports ensures continuity for his squad over the next two years. If Stenhouse or other drivers decide on new directions in the coming seasons, more roster changes could follow, potentially affecting the careers of fellow competitors such as Justin Haley and Carson Hocevar.
As the motorsport community prepares for these transitions, both Haudenschild’s achievements and Stenhouse’s career outlook will be closely monitored, marking a turning point for Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing and its position within the World of Outlaws series.
