Stewart-Haas Racing drivers being left in the dark about team's future: 'Nobody knows anything'
The future of Stewart-Haas Racing is looking more bleak by the day. None of the drivers in the organization know what will happen. They are driving like it’s their last NASCAR Cup Series season because it could be.
Stewart-Haas Racing is rumored to be downsizing. How much they downsize varies from two to three charters to the entire Cup program. All four drivers, Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, Ryan Preece, and Josh Berry, are uncertain of what they will be doing in 2025.
Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports spoke to three of the drivers, Briscoe, Gragson, and Berry recently. All three drivers confirmed they don’t know what the future of SHR is, or what their own future holds.
For Briscoe, it’s a situation where he is stuck in limbo. His contract won’t allow him to talk to other teams about 2025. Stewart-Haas has to pick up the team option on his contract or let them know they are parting ways before he can contact other organizations.
“I am not really allowed to [talk to other teams] until somebody tells me what I can do — until they tell me if they’re picking me back up for next year or if there is a next year, nobody really knows for next year,” Briscoe said to Pockrass at Darlington.
“I push for answers, but nobody knows anything. It’s crazy. I feel like when there are rumors people know stuff, but it seems nobody knows anything.”
Stewart-Haas Racing future uncertain for drivers
The comments from Briscoe were not optimistic. It is unfortunate when these things happen. Teams have to keep a lot of things hush-hush due to sponsorship reasons, business reasons, personal preferences, and a multitude of other factors.
That is, until they can’t keep it secret anymore. With the rumors almost pouring out about Stewart-Haas Racing in recent weeks, the writing is on the wall. And all over the internet.
Noah Gragson didn’t paint a better picture of the situation, either.
“There are some nights that you think, ‘Man I don’t know what’s going to happen’ and then I just try to remind myself to focus on trying to run good for this week and just being present-minded and whatnot,” the No. 10 driver said. “It’s a tough sport as it is and when you’ve got those type of distractions, it doesn’t make it any easier.”
As for Josh Berry, he feels like he is racing for his career. The rookie hopped in the SHR No. 4 to take up for Kevin Harvick. Now, he might be out of a job unless someone picks him up.
Charters are going to be sold. How many and to who will factor in the most for if the drivers end up with a ride for 2025. There is a lot of exciting young talent in NASCAR. No one is guaranteed a ride. So, get ready for Silly Season to get silly.