Stewart-Haas Racing

Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Established in 2002 as Haas CNC Racing by Haas Automation founder Gene Haas, the team transitioned to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009 when NASCAR champion Tony Stewart joined, acquiring a 50% ownership stake. This partnership was forged as Stewart shifted from driving for Joe Gibbs Racing to taking on both a driving and ownership role at SHR.

Located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, close to Charlotte Motor Speedway, Stewart-Haas Racing operates near its sister Formula One team, Haas F1 Team, although the two are legally distinct entities.

Originally a Chevrolet team receiving engines and chassis from Hendrick Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing switched to Ford engines provided by Roush-Yates Engines in 2017 and began manufacturing its chassis in-house. The team has achieved victories across all three of NASCAR’s national touring divisions, making it one of the select teams, alongside Hendrick Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and RFK Racing, to achieve this milestone.

HISTORY

After several years as an associate sponsor of Hendrick Motorsports, Gene Haas announced in April 2002 the creation of his own NASCAR team, Haas CNC Racing, set to compete in the Winston Cup Series starting in 2003. Hendrick Motorsports provided cars, engines, and technical support to the newly formed team. Jack Sprague, a veteran of Hendrick’s Busch and Craftsman Truck teams, was signed as the primary driver, bringing his NetZero sponsorship to pilot the No. 0 car. Initially, the team operated from a modest facility rented from Hendrick Motorsports and began competing with Chevrolet cars at the end of 2002. 

In 2008, a significant change occurred when Tony Stewart, a two-time Sprint Cup Series champion then with Joe Gibbs Racing, agreed to join Haas CNC Racing as both a driver and a co-owner, receiving a 50% stake in the team. This partnership was driven by Stewart’s desire to return to racing with Chevrolet and Haas’s ambition to elevate his team’s competitiveness and appeal to top-tier sponsors and staff. Consequently, the team was rebranded as Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2009 season, enhancing its profile and capabilities significantly through strengthened ties with Hendrick Motorsports.

In February 2016, Stewart-Haas Racing announced a strategic shift to Ford beginning in the 2017 season, acquiring engines from Roush-Yates Engines. This move also included reinvigorating its efforts in what is now the Xfinity Series.

On the administrative front, significant changes took place in 2022, when it was announced that SHR President Brett Frood would step down to become commissioner of the National Lacrosse League. He would, however, continue as an executive advisor to SHR and serve as board chairman for Tony Stewart’s various enterprises. Additionally, Brian McKinley was promoted to chief commercial officer, Greg Zipadelli transitioned from vice president of competition to chief competition officer, and Joe Custer was maintained as co-president.

NASCAR CUP SERIES 

SHR fields several full-time entries in the Cup Series, attracting top driving talent and maintaining high performance standards. The organization’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its advanced engineering and strategic race management, making it a perennial contender in the fiercely competitive NASCAR Cup Series.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) extends its competitive drive to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where it has been a significant participant. With a commitment to nurturing rising talent and competing at a high level, SHR has effectively utilized the Xfinity Series as a platform for developing drivers and crew members who aspire to reach the NASCAR Cup Series. The team fields multiple Ford Mustangs, consistently competing for wins and championships. SHR’s entry into the Xfinity Series not only strengthens its racing portfolio but also reinforces its standing as a comprehensive racing organization capable of competing across multiple levels of NASCAR.

NASCAR Truck Series

As of the latest updates, Stewart-Haas Racing does not compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The organization’s focus remains on the NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where it has established a strong presence and considerable success. While SHR has explored various racing disciplines, its participation in the Truck Series has not been part of their recent competitive strategy, choosing instead to concentrate resources and efforts on their Cup and Xfinity Series operations. This approach allows SHR to maintain a concentrated effort on achieving high performance and developmental goals in NASCAR’s top tiers.