In an unexpected turn of events, Gene Haas and partner Tony Stewart have opted to shut down their NASCAR Cup Series operation, Stewart-Haas Racing, at the end of the 2024 season.

After ending the team’s 15-year stay in the series, a joint statement read: “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 labor-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.”