A huge announcement was made in the NASCAR world that could change the landscape as far as manufactures are concerned. Early Wednesday morning, Stewart-Haas Racing announced that the team will be switching from Chevrolet, to Ford starting in 2017.
Since 2009, when Tony Stewart became co-owner of this organization, Stewart-Haas has been with Chevrolet. The success has been remarkable. Over that 7 year span (Not counting this year), the team has won 34 races and two championships (2011, 2014).
Now, Stewart-Haas leaves Chevrolet where they were supplied with engines from Hendrick Motorsports, and move to Ford where they will receive their equipment from Roush Racing. The two main organizations at the Sprint Cup level in NASCAR that receive equipment from Roush Racing, besides Roush themselves are Penske Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports. Since 2009, the three teams have combined for 45 wins and zero championships.
If not for Penske Racing, Ford could possibly be out of business as far as NASCAR is concerned. Penske switched from Dodge to Ford manufacturing in 2013. In that three year span, they have totaled 20 wins and right on the heels of a championship.
What many don’t realize is a change from one manufacture to the other isn’t always a smooth and successful transition. It can set a team back for years, or possibly make a team fold. If you’re a football fan, this analogy will tie it together. Drafting and investing in a QB that turns out to be a bust, can set a team back for years. This is the same kind of deal.
Joe Gibbs Racing has had success in this sport, but he has changed from Chevrolet, to Pontiac, back to Chevrolet, and now Toyota. It was a few bumps in the road with all of those changes.
With the switch for Stewart-Haas, it definitely brings a talented and smart organization to the Ford family. This move will be a financial benefit for Ford as well, and could possibly help the development of this program. The part that throws up a Red Flag is that this race team was just four points away from winning back to back championships.
In all, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas are smart businessmen, and may know something that others within NASCAR don’t. Don’t expect to see this change pay off right away. It will be an uphill climb for sure, and I hope the drivers for this organization are ready for that.
