After
17 years competing at NASCAR’s highest level, Tony Stewart has confirmed that
his 18th year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will be his last. The
three-time series champion will retire following the 2016 season, whereupon
Clint Bowyer will take the wheel of the No. 14 machine beginning in 2017.
Since
2009 Stewart has held the dual title of driver/owner at Stewart-Haas Racing
(SHR). He co-owns the team with Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation, the
largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. Stewart will join Haas as a
fulltime owner in 2017, with Bowyer being Stewart’s hand-picked successor to
drive the No. 14 car.
“This
is a moment every driver eventually comes to terms with, and I know this is the
right decision for me,” said Stewart, owner of 48 Sprint Cup victories, 15 of
which have come with SHR. “2016 will be my last year in a Sprint Cup car, but
it’s not my last year in NASCAR. I love this sport and I love being a part of
it, and instead of seeing me in a firesuit on Sundays, you’ll see me in a pair
of jeans, and maybe even a pair of khakis.
“I
plan to make the most of my final year as a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series, and part of that is to ensure that when Clint Bowyer takes over the No.
14 in 2017, he has everything he needs to win races and contend for the championship.
I’m very comfortable with this decision and what the future holds for me and
Stewart-Haas Racing.”
Bowyer
is an eight-time race winner in the Sprint Cup Series and finished second in
the 2012 championship standings.
“Today
is an incredible opportunity and I’m proud and excited to take over the No. 14
in 2017,” said Bowyer, the 2008 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion. “Whether it’s
racing him on Sunday or watching my dirt late model teams race at his famed
Eldora Speedway, Tony and I share the same passion for racing. That makes this
opportunity a perfect fit for me. I appreciate everything he’s done for me and
the sport of auto racing. These are big shoes to fill, but boy am I ever
looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a champion’s ride, and have Tony
there with me along the way.”
Haas,
who formed Haas CNC Racing in 2002 before partnering with Stewart to create SHR
in 2009, embraces the transition.
“Tony
Stewart has been a game-changer for Stewart-Haas Racing and for motorsports,”
Haas said. “I always had an incredible amount of respect for what he could do
with a racecar – any racecar, as he’s been successful in everything he’s ever
driven. In getting to know Tony Stewart the businessman, I found a very smart person
with excellent people skills. He’s extremely valuable to our race team and a
strong voice in our sport. His passion for motorsports is unmatched, and I’m
proud that his future outside of the No. 14 Chevrolet remains with Stewart-Haas
Racing.”
The
primary partners currently represented on the No. 14 Chevrolet include Bass Pro
Shops, Mobil 1, Rush Truck Centers, Code 3 Associates, Coca-Cola, Jimmy Johns
and Haas Automation. Announcements regarding the partnership lineup for the No.
14 team in 2016 and beyond will be made in the lead up to the 58th
Daytona 500 on Feb. 21 at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway.
“I have been blessed with fantastic partners throughout
my racing career, and I take a lot of pride in the lifelong friendships formed
and the great business successes we’ve been a part of,” Stewart said. “I never would’ve accomplished all that
I’ve achieved in racing if it weren’t for the support of corporate America.
They helped a kid from Columbus, Indiana, reach his dreams and I’ll be forever
grateful.”
I hate to see him go, but I certainly respect his decision. I will miss him in the car as he has been one of my favorite drivers since I first became a fan of the sport. Best wishes to Smoke!
ReplyDeleteGoing to miss Smoke on the track,but glad he will still be a part of the Motorsports in many ways.
ReplyDeleteMet him at Richmond years ago as a Home Depot guest. He is truly what you see. The things he does charity and good will wise behind the scenes is incredible too.
ReplyDeleteNot sad to see Tony go honestly. He probably will be happier racing sprint cars more.
ReplyDelete