Stewart-Haas Racing has shut down its operations after the end of the 2024 NASCAR season. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have already shown interest in taking over two of SHR’s charters, however, with the ongoing legal dispute between the two teams and NASCAR, it is still unclear as to whether this will be successful.
The latest update in the antitrust lawsuit indicates that 23XI Racing and FRM are likely going to have to compete as open charters in 2025, leaving fans raising questions about the additional charters from SHR. FOX Sports NASCAR reporter Bob Pockrass has shared to social media:
“We still have not gotten an answer on the SHR charters that 23XI and FRM have agreements to purchase.”
Stewart-Haas Racing, co-founded in 2009 by NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, has been a formidable presence in the sport, claiming NASCAR Cup Series titles in 2011 and 2014. Their decision to cease operations represents not only the end of an era but also casts shadows over potential charter transfers which are crucial for the teams involved. SHR shared earlier in the year:
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“We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly.
“Racing is a labour-intensive, humbling sport. It requires unwavering commitment and vast resources, with a 365-day mindset to be better than everyone else. It’s part of what makes success so rewarding.
“But the commitment needed to extract maximum performance while providing sustainability is incredibly demanding, and we’ve reached a point in our respective personal and business lives where it’s time to pass the torch.
“We’re proud of all the wins and championships we’ve earned since joining together in 2009, but even more special is the culture we built and the friendships we forged as we committed to a common cause – winning races and collecting trophies.
“That is the same commitment we made to our personnel, our partners and our fans coming into this year, and that commitment will remain through the season finale at Phoenix.
“We have tremendous respect and appreciation for all of our employees, and we will work diligently to assist them during this transition to find new opportunities beyond the 2024 race season.”
The ongoing legal confrontation between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR, accuses the body of monopolistic practices that favor the France family’s interests. The crux of this legal stand-off involves the charter system instituted in 2016, which allocates revenue-sharing and starting guarantees but is criticized by plaintiffs for restricting competition and endangering financial sustainability.
