No one in the NASCAR Cup Series could use a good season like Stewart-Haas Racing. Will they be able to get things turned around in time? A few resolutions could go a long way. With a couple of new drivers and sponsorship changes, it will be a pivotal season for SHR.
Stewart-Haas Racing has a championship history. However, they have faltered in recent years. Kevin Harvick was the only driver to finish in the top-20 this season in points. That is not the standard that they expect at SHR.
With some minor changes and a new focus in key areas, we could see the organization step it up in the New Year.
Stewart-Haas Racing Resolutions:
– Give your new drivers tools to succeed
– Keep up with the other Fords
– Win a race
– Get one driver to the playoffs
As an organization, Stewart-Haas has to hold itself accountable. They have to give their drivers cars that they need to be able to compete in. Last season, even Harvick couldn’t win in Stewart-Haas equipment.
The new Mustang Dark Horse is going to benefit all Ford teams. SHR has to keep pace with those teams in order to be competitive. Of course, winning a race and making the playoffs is the ultimate goal. Having multiple drivers in the top-20 would be a huge relief for the organization.
Stewart-Haas Racing Drivers Resolutions
Four drivers and a lot of expectations. Will it be Chase Briscoe, the longest-tenured driver on the team who steps up? Will it be the older drivers in Ryan Preece and Josh Berry that make it happen? It is hard to say until we see races on the track.
However, there are some preseason predictions and goals we can set for these drivers.
Josh Berry Resolutions:
– Be competitive for Rookie of the Year
– Use your Cup experience to your benefit
– Show improvement throughout the season
If Berry can compete closely with Carson Hocevar and Zane Smith, he can have a successful season. Is he going to have the equipment he needs in order to do that? Hopefully. Showing improvement and using his past experience – that will be the key.
Chase Briscoe Resolutions:
– Step up as a leader
– Win a race
– Make the playoffs
– Help raise the standards for SHR
I think most people are expecting Briscoe to be the one who steps up in 2024 for Stewart-Haas Racing. He’s been there the longest of the drivers on the roster and has winning experience. Get a win, make the playoffs, raise the standards.
Noah Gragson Resolutions:
– Keep a low profile
– Improve from last season
– Prove that you belong in Cup
– Make the most of your opportunities
I think for his own benefit, Gragson has to keep a low profile. Come in, race, do what you gotta do, go home. Prove that SHR didn’t make a mistake and show improvement from 2023.
Ryan Preece Resolutions:
– Make the top-25 in points
– Finish superspeedways strong
– Five top-10 finishes
– Avoid major wrecks
Finishing in the top-25 in points is a must for all four of these drivers, especially Preece. He seems to have the most potential from a star power standpoint. Preece needs to finish on superspeedways strong, score a handful of top-10s, and avoid major incidents on track. When Preece was flipping at Daytona, that was scary. So, no more of that.