One year after Tony Stewart‘s departure from Stewart-Haas Racing, Gene Haas openly acknowledges the hurdles his team faces. Shifting from four cars to a single-car outfit with Cole Custer has been more challenging than anticipated. Initial successes at Daytona could not counterbalance their struggles on intermediate and short tracks. Limited resources and data-sharing issues exacerbate the situation, placing considerable strain on Haas to steer the team in the right direction. What lies ahead for Stewart-Haas Racing?
Key Highlights
- Gene Haas acknowledges the team’s struggles since Tony Stewart’s departure in 2024.
- The Haas Factory Team faces challenges with performance and resource limitations.
- Transitioning from a four-car team to a single-car operation has been difficult.
- Financial pressures from Haas’s CNC business add to the team’s strain.
- Strategic adjustments are necessary to improve results and meet expectations.
Stewart-Haas Racing’s Rise and Fall
Despite its meteoric rise, Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) experienced a dramatic transformation from a dominant force to a team mired in struggles. Founded in 2009 by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, SHR swiftly evolved from the remnants of Haas CNC Racing into a NASCAR powerhouse, capturing wins and championships with Stewart in 2011 and Kevin Harvick in 2014.
The team’s tactical skill and strong driver lineup, including Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch, resulted in nearly 70 Cup Series victories over 15 years.
However, by 2024, SHR faced a downturn; sponsorship challenges, waning performance, and the sport’s economic complexities strained its resources. This decline marked a notable shift in SHR’s path, highlighting the volatile nature of NASCAR success.
Stewart Walks Away, Haas Stays In
Tony Stewart’s departure from Stewart-Haas Racing in May 2024 marked a significant shift for the organization, leaving Gene Haas to navigate the complexities of NASCAR ownership alone.
Stewart opted to pursue NHRA drag racing and grassroots ventures, ending a successful partnership. This move forced Haas to retain one charter, forming the Haas Factory Team for 2025.
The change has proven challenging, as noted by Team President Joe Custer. He openly highlighted the hurdles faced by the single-car team, emphasizing the need for consistency and improved preparation.
“We’re excited about a single car platform but we’ve got to get it right and the results speak for themselves. We’ve had some moments this year as a single car team. Daytona’s been very good to us so we take those moments and we understand what we’re capable of, but how do we get more consistent and it really starts in starting the weekend delivering a race car that has more potential in it on a consistent basis and that comes down to the shop and preparation and data and engineering relationships it can be done.” – Joe Custer
Growing Pains for the Haas Factory Team
The departure of Tony Stewart from Stewart-Haas Racing left Gene Haas to steer the organization through a challenging landscape, crafting a new plan around the Haas Factory Team.
Shifting from a robust four-car setup to a singular team with Cole Custer at the helm presented considerable hurdles. Initial successes at Daytona displayed potential, yet the team struggled on intermediates and short tracks, highlighting the limitations of a lone-car approach.
The absence of data-sharing and engineering resources from SHR’s multi-car operations placed them at a disadvantage.
“I would encourage the fans and folks to take a close look at smaller teams because they have the potential. They just have to look at it differently and that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to evolve from a large organization mindset to a nimble smaller organization that takes advantages of its strengths and looks for solutions for the areas it needs to plot us into this sport.” – Joe Custer
Nonetheless, Custer encouraged fans to rethink the narrative around small teams, emphasizing adaptability and tactical evolution as key to overcoming these growing pains and harnessing the unique advantages of a smaller, more agile operation.
Pressure from Gene Haas
Steering through the domain of expectations, the Haas Factory Team faces increasing strain under Gene Haas’s leadership. Known for his patience yet steadfast demand for results, Haas’s stress is palpable.
“Gene, he’s a patient man and so we’re not here to do the same thing over next year without addressing these queer issues we have and he made that known to our organization that he won’t tolerate. Not improving and not having a trajectory that can get to winning. So we’ve made some tough decisions and they are tough decision.” – Joe Custer
The team must navigate through:
- Technical alliances: Aiming for efficiency akin to other successful teams.
- Strategic adjustments: Implementing pit crew changes after a poor performance in Kansas.
- Financial backing: Sourced from Haas’s CNC business, amplifying the need for tangible success.
- Tough decisions: Mandated to address performance issues, ensuring an upward path.
With the team not yet achieving desired results, Haas’s expectations serve as both a guide and a challenge. The strain mounts, highlighting the critical need for the team to align strategy with performance.
Stewart’s New Chapter in NHRA
Starting a new chapter, Tony Stewart has seamlessly shifted from NASCAR to NHRA drag racing, where he has already made a notable impact.
Stewart’s change is marked by victories such as winning the NHRA 4-Wide Nationals in Las Vegas and clinching the 2025 NHRA regular season title. His adept handling of the Dodge Direct Connection Dragster emphasizes his persistent racing skill.
However, Stewart’s future in NHRA is intricately tied to his wife, Leah Pruett, a 12-time NHRA Top Fuel winner, who paused her career after 2023 to focus on family.
“Right now, we’re just trying to figure out what Leah’s going to do. After that, we’ll figure out what we’re going to do. So we just got to wait and see. My wife’s got to figure out what she wants to do before I do anything.” – Tony Stewart
Stewart’s commitment to Pruett’s aspirations over his racing ambitions introduces a dynamic contrast, highlighting his adaptability and willingness to prioritize family over personal career successes.
News in Brief: NASCAR Team Boss Admits Struggles One Year After Tony Stewart’s Exit
In the wake of Tony Stewart’s departure, Stewart-Haas Racing faces a challenging shift, marked by the strain of downsizing to a single-car team with Cole Custer. Gene Haas, now solely at the helm, grapples with resource constraints and limited data-sharing, particularly on intermediate and short tracks. This period of growing pains highlights the urgency to adapt and innovate. Meanwhile, Stewart initiates a new chapter in NHRA, leaving the NASCAR team to navigate its evolving landscape alone.
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