Stewart-Haas Racing has made a tradition of changing drivers, and it seems they will continue to shake things up as they prepare for 2024.
To shake things up in 2022, Stewart-Haas Racing retained their quartet of drivers for the first time since 2016. Since then, the team has made one offseason driver change every year.
After 2016, Tony Stewart retired and was replaced by Clint Bowyer. Danica Patrick’s 2017 retirement led to Aric Almirola joining the team. Kurt Busch left in 2018, making way for Daniel Suarez, who himself was replaced by Cole Custer in 2020. The cycle continued as Bowyer retired in 2020 and Chase Briscoe took his seat. In 2021, all four drivers kept their spots, but by 2022, Custer had been moved back to the Xfinity Series and replaced by Ryan Preece.
The upcoming 2024 season will see half of Stewart-Haas Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series lineup change. This is uncharted territory for the team in recent years, given the significant loss of experience and a current lack of competitiveness.
Josh Berry will replace 2014 champion Kevin Harvick, while Almirola is moving on from the team, signaling significant changes to the lineup for 2024.
The possibility of Custer being promoted or Noah Gragson taking over has been discussed, especially with Custer’s Xfinity Series win. However, Gragson’s status became uncertain after being suspended and ultimately released from the Legacy Motor Club in August. His performance was also under scrutiny, implying that Custer might not be the only contender for the seat.
Looking ahead, Briscoe is currently the team’s longest-standing driver, having joined in 2021. Preece is the other returning driver, but his lack of wins and playoffs in 2023 is a cause for concern. Berry has limited Cup Series experience, while Gragson’s rookie season paints an uncertain picture of his potential for success.
Stewart-Haas Racing is about to enter 2024 with four drivers who have a combined win total of just one. Additionally, not a single driver in their 2024 lineup finished in the top 20 in the 2023 standings, signaling major challenges ahead.
Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
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