In a move that rocked NASCAR on Tuesday afternoon, Stewart-Haas Racing announced it would be closing down at the end of the year. That will leave Chase Briscoe looking for a new team.
Briscoe reacted to the news on Tuesday via his Twitter account, posting a short video.
“Hey everybody, here in the parking lot at Stewart-Haas,” Briscoe said. “Just got the news that we’re shutting down at the end of the year. So yeah, crazy time. I never thought this day would come. I’ve been at Stewart Haas for the last seven years now. It’s truthfully became like a home to me and feels like a family. Just what an incredible group of men and women at this place that just make it feel like home and just make you enjoy coming to work each and every day.”
Stewart-Haas Racing as it currently exists came about in 2009. Originally Haas CNC Racing was formed in 2002, when Gene Haas elected to form his own team. Tony Stewart was later added to the mix in 2009 as a driver in a deal that gave him a 50% stake in the company.
Chevrolet provided the team’s engines and chassis until 2016, when the organization began using Ford engines and building chassis in-house.
All of it lent to an operation that provided opportunities for drivers like Briscoe. But it also afforded opportunities to the entire supporting team.
Chase Briscoe lamented that some of those jobs will be lost.
“First and foremost I just hope that all the guys and gals of this place find a great opportunity, because each and every single person here deserves it,” he said. “Just an incredible group of people that have all put in so much hard work and effort and just sacrificed so much for me to be able to live out my dream of driving racecars and winning at the highest level. It’s crazy knowing that this will be the last year that I drive the 14 car, the car that I looked up to growing up and obviously idolized growing up. Crazy times for sure.”
For his part, Chase Briscoe still seemed to be grappling with the news as he spoke to his fans directly via video.
“Never thought it would happen,” he said. “Yeah, have no idea what I’m doing going forward. It’s going to be interesting time these next couple weeks just trying to find what’s available out there. And hopefully can land on my feet and continue to race in the Cup Series. So yeah, appreciate all the support, all the love. And yeah, we’ll see what happens going forward. Appreciate it, guys.”
The post Chase Briscoe opens up on the closing of Stewart-Haas Racing appeared first on On3.