Kevin Harvick hints SHR drivers "racing for jobs" amid charter sale rumors

NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race - Practice
Kevin Harvick during the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race - Practice (Image: Getty)

NASCAR legend and former Stewart-Haas Racing driver Kevin Harvick has hinted at the Tony Stewart-owned outfit selling its charters. SHR has been rumoured to be in a poor shape financially and reported of a potential merger with Front Row Motorsports.

Once a NASCAR tycoon, Stewart-Haas Racing's fall from grace has been one to document. The team which had won the Cup Series titles in 2011 and 2014, and the Xfinity Series championship last season, has undergone a tumultuous period after the loss of its two star drivers, Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola.

While Almirola parted ways with the Cup Series, Harvick decided to hang up his helmet. Their departure led to SHR losing crucial sponsorship deals, and further reinforcements Josh Berry and Noah Gragson are yet to set the world alight with their performances.

This has led to rumors of Tony Stewart selling a few charters to stablize the situation within the SHR camp. Addressing these speculations on a recent episode of his Happy Harvick podcast, Kevin Harvick shared his perspective on the situation. Harvick said:

"It sure seems like they’re selling a few, two, three, I don’t know how many. But there’s going to be guys without jobs. And I think they know that they’re auditioning and they’re all definitely thinking about it. (25:15).

He further added:

"There’s definitely something that flipped the switches in the Fords. They are all racing for their job. They are all racing to keep a job, get a job. I think this whole silly season is going to be pretty wild."
"There are going to be guys without jobs. I think they know that. They’re auditioning and they’re all definitely thinking about it because Chase Briscoe is publicly talking about it."

Chase Briscoe, another SHR driver, echoed these sentiments in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Briscoe mentioned that both he and his peers were uncertain about the future of their team, further fueling concerns about job security within SHR.


Kevin Harvick discusses differences between Hendrick Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing

Harvick recently stepped in for Hendrick Motorsports, driving Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet in All-Star Race practice at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Larson was participating in Indianapolis 500 practice and would return for the All-Star Race main event.

Harvick, who spent his entire Cup career with Richard Childress Racing and SHR, shared his observations on the differences between SHR and Hendrick Motorsports.

He said (via Motorsport.com):

"I think the thing that sticks out for me about Hendrick Motorsports in general is it’s truly run like a business that is a part of an actual structure of how things flow and who you talk to."

He added:

"There’s just the depth of the business side and the racing side is deep. I think that that is pretty eye opening just from the structure of the whole thing."

Kevin Harvick helped the No. 5 team qualify 12th for the NASCAR All-Star race.

Quick Links

App download animated image Get the free App now