from last FEBRUARY
Stewart-Haas Racing announced Wednesday that its four-car operation will switch from Chevrolet to Ford-powered cars in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series beginning in 2017 -- the news catching most of the national media and racing insiders off-guard.
Co-team owner and driver Tony Stewart considers it a coup that they were even able to keep the past six months of negotiations with Ford under wraps before Wednesday's big announcement -- only two weeks into the 2016 season.
"I don't think the timing was a big issue, we just wanted to make sure we were in control of it," Stewart said. "It's very hard to keep secrets in this sport.
"In figuring things were going to get out, we wanted to be proactive in announcing this.
"We're going to get it out there, and then we're going to get back to business.”
Both Stewart and co-owner Gene Haas opened their remarks on a national conference call Wednesday morning by thanking Chevrolet and committing to the 2016 season driving the GM brand before sharing their optimism about the Ford future.
Stewart said he spoke with Hendrick Motorsports founder Rick Hendrick last month about the possibility of SHR switching engine makes -- SHR has a technical alliance with Hendrick -- and informed him of the team's final decision before Wednesday's announcement.
Both Stewart and Haas were thankful to Chevy, Haas calling it a "long, awesome run” with the company. Stewart stressing, "we weren't disappointed with Chevy" and said he felt this announcement and impending move would not seriously harm the current Chevy alliance with Hendrick Motorsports.
"I don't think Rick looks at this as a betrayal," Haas said of Hendrick. "I think he (Hendrick) respects the decision we have made. It's a bottom line, business decision that enhances Stewart-Haas Racing in the future and an opportunity we couldn't pass up."
As the SHR announcement was ongoing Wednesday morning, Chevrolet released a statement from its Vice President Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, Jim Campbell saying, "We are disappointed with Stewart-Haas Racing's decision, but our focus for 2016 has not changed."
Stewart was in complete agreement about the focus. He reiterated the group's plans to win a 2016 Cup championship with Chevy this year and spoke about the move as a difficult, much-contemplated process.
"None of this was done on a coin toss," Stewart said. "We've put six months of thought into it."
SHR fields cars for 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick, 2004 series champion Kurt Busch, Danica Patrick and next year Clint Bowyer will take over for the retiring Stewart behind the wheel of the No. 14.
NASCAR released the following statement after the news broke:
"Stewart-Haas Racing has been a top-tier team in our sport for many years, and we wish them well in their future endeavor with Ford Performance. Our sport is rooted in healthy competition, and NASCAR is fortunate to have three strong auto manufacturer partners all committed to the common goals of winning and growing the sport. We know that SHR and Chevrolet will work together as hard as ever this season to win races and pursue their third Sprint Cup Championship together."
Ford executives were clearly optimistic and eager about increasing their Cup tally, which also currently includes spotlight partners such as Penske Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Front Row Motorsports.
"We believe the addition of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017 will give our program a major boost in terms of being in contention for both drivers' and manufacturers' championships every year," said Ford's global Director of Performance Dave Pericak, who also noted, "This is just another addition; we're not eliminating or reducing support to other teams."
Stewart, who is currently sidelined in his final year of Cup competition while recovering from an L1 vertebrae fracture, admitted he had been monitoring social media such as Twitter after the initial announcement was made Wednesday morning. He was curious to reaction.
"I understand some people are upset and I've also read comments from people who are ecstatic about it," he said, adding, "You can't overlook great opportunities.”
He also said after a nearly 20-year personal tenure under the Chevy banner, "It was a big decision; it's what's best for our company going forward."
In the hours after the decision was made, Ford drivers also reached out via Twitter to congratulate the SHR contingent.
"Welcome to the @FordPerformance family @StewartHaasRcng. Excited to have another team join the blue ovals," tweeted Penske Racing driver Joey Logano.
backyard birds
