Stewart-Haas Racing has had plenty of major announcements throughout 2023, beyond just the fact that Kevin Harvick only has 11 races left in his cup career and Josh Berry will be replacing him in 2024.
Harvick might not be the only SHR driver to call it a career at the end of the season, as speculation has been making the rounds that Aric Almirola, who currently pilots the No. 10 Smithfield Ford for Stewart-Haas, could also be retiring at the end of the season.
Two drivers know for sure that they will be driving for SHR in 2024. Those are Chase Briscoe, who pilots the No. 14 car, and Berry, who will be the new driver of the No. 4 car following Harvick's retirement.
A lot of things may be in motion already, especially after Catchfence.com's Lee Spencer reported on Performance Racing Network that SHR could make two of its four charters available for purchase and that Almirola, along with his sponsor Smithfield, is likely leaving.
Nothing's been announced, but all signs are pointing to Aric Almirola leaving Stewart-Haas Racing after this season. @Knighter01 & @TheJohnnyTV joined @prnbrett to discuss what they're hearing about the future for Almirola and longtime sponsor Smithfield: https://t.co/ga0oXdeP2O
— PRN (@PRNlive) August 23, 2023
It is clearly on the table. SHR has been disappointing this season, as none of their four drivers have found victory lane, and only Harvick has qualified for the playoffs, with only Daytona remaining before the playoffs begin.
This all comes after Spencer also reported the possibility that Ford had met with Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin's 23XI Racing during the Michigan race weekend about a possible switch to the manufacturer.
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Selling two of their charters and downsizing their team might be SHR's best course of action, especially with Busch leaving for Ross Chastain and Trackhouse, and this new possible news that Smithfield is likely leaving. Berry doesn't have an announced sponsorship yet, so the likelihood of Stewart-Haas Racing downsizing to two cars is very likely at this point.
Charters don't come cheap these days, but a number of teams have made it known that they wouldn't mind expanding, and this could give the likes of 23XI, RFK Racing, or even Trackhouse a chance to expand to a third full-time ride.
Nothing is official, but it is clear that selling two charters is on the table for Tony Stewart and company.
