Stewart-Haas Racing Transition: In an anticipated move following Kevin Harvick’s retirement announcement, Stewart-Haas Racing gears up for a shift with the upcoming driver Josh Berry and the familiar face of Rodney Childers as his crew chief for the forthcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.
The 2014 Cup Series champion, Kevin Harvick, concluded his illustrious racing career at the end of the 2023 season. The talented Xfinity Series driver, Josh Berry, emerges as the replacement for Harvick, set to take the reins of the No. 4 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Notably, the transition sees the integration of Rodney Childers, Harvick’s trusted crew chief for several successful years, now joining forces with Josh Berry. Childers, a long-standing part of the Stewart-Haas Racing stable since 2014, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the former JR Motorsports driver.
Reflecting on their recent endeavors during the South Carolina 400 race at the Florence Motor Speedway, Childers underscored the significance of their interactions during late-model races in familiarizing himself with Berry’s driving style and preferences.
“It’s been a positive experience so far. We had a good time last week, and the car felt competitive through most of the weekend, though we couldn’t quite seal the deal in the latter part of the race,” remarked Childers.
He elaborated, “Over the past few days, things have been promising. The car’s performing well, adapting to slightly different rules here… Overall, we’ve got good speed, the car’s handling well, and as we continue to learn and communicate, every bit of dialogue is valuable at this juncture.”
Childers shed light on the challenges faced by racing professionals in balancing personal lives amidst a relentless racing schedule.
“Managing the racing schedule and personal life is a challenge. After completing 38 races a year, being away from home can take a toll on families. We’re fortunate to have supportive families allowing us to pursue this passion and have some fun. Hopefully, we can strike a better balance next year,” remarked Childers.
On the camaraderie between him and Josh Berry, Childers pointed out, “Our existing rapport has eased the initial phase. We’ve known each other for an extended period. However, honing in on communication specifics like handling nuances and race strategies will be the focus moving forward.”
ALSO READ: Stewart-Haas Racing Revamp: Navigating Change in the 2024 NASCAR Season
Our Reader’s Queries
Who will be driving for Stewart-Haas in 2023?
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) has announced that Ryan Preece, the 32-year-old racer from Berlin, Connecticut, has been promoted from his reserve driver role to the NASCAR Cup Series. Preece will be driving the team’s No. 41 Ford Mustang starting in 2023. This move is a testament to Preece’s talent and dedication to the sport, and we look forward to seeing him excel on the track.
Did Stewart-Haas Racing switch to Ford?
The team had been using Chevrolet engines and chassis from the start, except for a brief stint with Pontiac in 2003. These were provided by Hendrick Motorsports. However, in 2017, the team decided to switch things up and partnered with Roush-Yates Engines. They also started building their own chassis in-house. As a result, the team now runs on Ford engines.
Is Stewart-Haas Racing going to Dodge next year?
Stewart Haas has made a shocking switch in Nascar, and it’s bad news for fans. Despite a legacy of speed and victory, the brand’s final act was nothing short of spectacular. In a surprising move, they clinched the championship with the legendary Team Penske, led by the indomitable Brad Keselowski. This unexpected turn of events has left many wondering what the future holds for Stewart Haas and their fans.
Who will drive 10 in 2024?
NASCAR fans can look forward to seeing Noah Gragson back in action in 2024. The talented driver, formerly of Legacy Motor Club, has been named as Aric Almirola’s successor in the No. 10 car at Stewart-Haas Racing. This exciting announcement was made on Wednesday, and fans are already buzzing with anticipation for Gragson’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the big day!
