By Adam Carabine & Logan Morris
This year, in preparation for the 2024 NASCAR season, we present our Team Previews Series. Each day until the end of January, a new Team Preview will be live on our website. Check back every day to see what we have to say about your favourite team!
Adam Carabine: We’re down to our final five teams in our Team Preview Series! Today we’re examining Stewart-Haas Racing, who might be the team with the biggest changes this season. There’s a lot to unpack here, let’s get started. Chase Briscoe suddenly becomes the most senior member of this team with the departures of Aric Almirola and Kevin Harvick. Does he need to start taking on a bigger leadership role here, Logan?
Logan Morris: Only if it comes naturally to him. I don’t think you want to force yourself as the leader of the team. That comes with time, experience and noteworthy performances on the track. In my estimation, it’s Tony Stewart who is going to have to lead and mentor these guys, all while balancing other professional pursuits.
AC: I’m not convinced that Tony Stewart (or anyone, for that matter) has enough mental bandwidth to take that task on. I think someone needs to step up, I’m just not sure which driver it’ll be. Ryan Preece has been around the block a few times, though this is only his second year with this team. What can we expect from him this season?
LM: I think we can expect some improvements. I don’t expect it to be vast, but I think you’ll see more top 20’s and things like that. I think Preece is a solid driver. However, I firmly believe SHR is in the midst of a downturn that’s going to take at least a few seasons to come out of. The equipment just isn’t what it used to be.
AC: Let’s not forget they also lost Busch and Smithfield, two of the bigger sponsors in the Cup Series field. It’s looking to be a year of growing pains for the club. Who do you think will be the highest performer on the team?
LM: They lost GearWrench as well. I think Briscoe will far and away be the best performer on the team. He’s the only one I see as potentially sneaking up and maybe winning a race. Gragson will likely be the public face of the team. His personality is a different breed. We got a taste of that during his brief tenure at Legacy MC last season. However, on the track Briscoe may be the only saving grace.
AC: How could I forget GearWrench! I think I may be on track for a Loganity Hot Take here, but I think Josh Berry will be the top performer of SHR this year. He really did a great job filling in here and there last year, as basically the understudy to any injured Cup driver. I’m interested to see how he handles the stress of a full-time Cup season schedule - but is there much more pressure than jumping into the #9 car for an injured Chase Elliott? I hope, for the sake of SHR fans, that Berry has a stellar season - I see him being the only one to make it to the playoffs in ‘24. Who do you think finishes the worst of the four?
LM: Piping hot takes, from the StatChat stalwart! I think Noah is in line to do the worst of the four drivers. I wish him well, but his numbers were what they were last season, so the expectations have to be low.
AC: I would agree with that. And of course, no disrespect to Noah, I think he’s got a great personality and I hope that he grows into this ride and becomes a playoff contender for years to come. He is in better equipment this year after leaving LMC early last season, but I still don’t think he rises above the other three.
Stay tuned for our next instalment of the Team Previews Series tomorrow, where we look at RFK Racing!