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NASCAR: SHR driver not writing off the driver he’s set to replace

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NASCAR: SHR driver not writing off the driver he's set to replace

As a dedicated NASCAR fan, I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and excitement all at once as I reflect on Stewart-Haas Racing’s announcement of their impending shutdown at the end of the 2024 season. It’s a bittersweet moment for the team’s current drivers, who are now scrambling to secure new rides for the following year.

I was taken aback when I heard Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) announced their intention to shut down at the end of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season. Having been a dedicated fan and follower of NASCAR for over two decades, SHR has always been one of my favorite teams. Witnessing Danica Patrick’s groundbreaking tenure and cheering on Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick’s championship victories are memories that I hold dear.

Three out of the four drivers have secured new racing contracts for the upcoming year. Among them is rookie Josh Berry. Berry, who took over Kevin Harvick’s position driving the No. 4 Ford this term, will now be driving the No. 21 Ford for Wood Brothers Racing next year, replacing Harrison Burton.

For approximately eight years now, Wood Brothers Racing have been working towards securing their 100th victory in the Cup Series. Their last triumph occurred in June 2017 at Pocono Raceway, with Ryan Blaney being the one to bring them win number 99. Prior to this achievement, they had gone without a win for more than six years.

Wood Brothers stuck at 99 wins

In the past 259 races, Paul Blaney, Matt DiBenedetto, Burton, and Menard have each had a chance to earn their team’s coveted 100th victory, but unfortunately, they haven’t managed to accomplish this feat yet.

If someone asked me about taking the wheel to help my team snag that elusive victory next season, I’d be quick to remind them that Burton gets a total of 15 opportunities left to do so.

“Sure, my assumption is… (pausing briefly) We must consider that they still have races to attend to this year, so it’s not entirely out of the question.”

Burton isn’t regarded as a top contender for Cup Series victories by most racing fans. In his rookie season in 2022, he ended up in 27th place in the point standings, and since then, his performance has worsened. Last year, he finished in 31st place. Through the first 21 races of this current season, Burton is in 33rd position with only one top 10 finish to his name – a 10th place result, which was just his fifth such achievement in his career.

Although some more unusual events have taken place, Burton has faced tough competition in several races during the past three seasons. His top finishes this year were achieved at superspeedways, and nearly a third of the remaining races on the schedule will be held at these high-speed tracks.

Despite the fact that Burton isn’t seen as a significant danger, Berry isn’t being complacent. He understands that Wood Brothers Racing may no longer have their 99th win by the time he arrives.

His recognition of Burton’s potential for success is telling and maintains a balanced viewpoint. This mindset is beneficial as he transitions to his new squad in the upcoming season.

Since 2017, they have achieved 99 victories. With a desire to improve further and boost their competitiveness, they are making an investment to reach that elusive 100th win.

Berry acknowledged that the chance to secure his 100th victory wasn’t guaranteed, but he couldn’t help feeling excited at the prospect of making it happen.

As a dedicated gamer, I can relate when a team has a significant milestone to achieve. The Wood Brothers, with their rich history spanning over seven decades, are no exception. They’ve been in the game since last century, and next year will mark their 75th anniversary. For them, this upcoming goal is more than just a win; it’s a box they desperately want to check off their list.

As someone who has spent my entire life immersed in auto racing, the ultimate dream has always been to win a Cup Series championship. This isn’t just a goal for me as an individual; it’s something that aligns deeply with my passion and experiences. The thought of achieving this milestone together with a team, creating a memorable and historic moment, is truly a special concept that fills me with excitement and determination.

And, of course, Berry knows that he still has 15 races left to run for Stewart-Haas Racing as well.

He expressed his great pride in the collective effort we put forth over the past few months during these challenging times, resulting in many impressive finishes.

Each week, we’ve made progress. However, the journey has had its highs and lows. Given that it’s my inaugural full season in Cup cars and I’m with a new team, developing consistency will require some patience.

Based on my personal experience over the past few weeks, I must admit that I’ve been genuinely contented with our team’s performance and the impressive speed we’ve managed to maintain. It’s a refreshing change from the struggles we faced earlier in the season, and I sincerely hope we can carry this momentum into the second half.

He acknowledges that the unveiling of his 2025 plans has brought some relief from the tension that could have built up earlier this year, given the speculation about Stewart-Haas Racing potentially closing down.

He acknowledged that it made a small difference. For the past few months, we’ve all been under pressure, struggling for our positions within the group. Knowing that certain issues have been resolved brings some relief. We can now concentrate more on our preparation, racing, and team, rather than dealing with external distractions.

At the professional level of Cup racing, the pressure to excel for your team and sponsors remains constant. Essentially, this doesn’t differ from other sports. It’s comforting, however, to have a clear plan in place.

Based on his current position in the standings, Berry understands that he probably needs to secure a race win during the last five regular season events to make it into the playoffs. However, he is confident that he and team No. 4 will have several chances to accomplish this goal.

He expressed his excitement about this upcoming weekend’s trip to Indianapolis, stating, “It’s going to be an intriguing experience for me, I’m heading to Indianapolis.” Previously, he had only competed on the road course there during the last few years. Consequently, racing on the oval will present a new and added challenge for him.

After taking a much-needed break, I’m excited to head to Richmond next on our schedule. This track holds a special place for me as I believe it’s one of my strongest. The No. 4 car has performed exceptionally well there in the past. Although we ended up finishing 11th during our spring race, we spent significant time racing in the top three and five positions. Consequently, Richmond is a track we’ve marked as an excellent opportunity for us to shine.

Berry expressed that while making the 16-driver playoff field as a rookie is an achievement he’d like to accomplish, he also recognizes that claiming his initial victory during the playoffs, regardless of being a non-playoff driver, would hold equal significance for him.

“Absolutely,” he replied. “It’s worth noting that teams not in the playoffs at the end of the regular season have surprised us before by winning in the postseason. Their chances may be slim, but they remain a significant factor until the final buzzer.”

In simpler terms, there are many strong teams and skilled drivers currently on the borderline of making the playoffs. Although this is my first year, I’m not excessively displeased with our current standing.

In my opinion, there are still many chances ahead for us. It’s clear that we need to give it our all to secure a victory. I believe we’ve been competitive in various races and have what it takes to succeed.

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2024-07-21 18:32

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