Stewart-Haas Racing left the motorsports world buzzing Wednesday morning, as the team announced they will be switching manufacturers in 2017.
The four car team, which currently fields cars for Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will be moving from Chevrolet to Ford beginning next year, it was announced by the team and Ford Racing.
The team will compete in Ford Fusions powered by Roush Yates Engines.
“I am proud of our association with Chevrolet as they helped build our organization into the team it is today,” said Tony Stewart, the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. “This new partnership with Ford allows us to strengthen our position in the sport and ensure the long-term stability and success for everyone who is a part of Stewart-Haas Racing.”
“Motorsports is an extremely challenging environment where in order to maintain success you have to constantly innovate. It’s true in NASCAR and it’s true in business,” said Gene Haas, co-owner, Stewart-Haas Racing. “We’ve enjoyed great success with Chevrolet, but this opportunity with Ford allows us to evolve while continuing to compete at the highest levels of the sport.”
The team has campaigned Chevrolets since its inception in 2009, when Stewart joined with Haas to build around the former Haas CNC Racing team. From there, the team has scored 30 wins to date, along with two NASCAR Sprint Cup Championships, one with Stewart in 2011 and the second with Kevin Harvick in 2014.
“From the very beginning of Stewart-Haas Racing we have fostered an environment of competitiveness, performance, teamwork and family,” said Brett Frood, team president. “This future partnership enables us to continue delivering across these silos and exceed our commitments to our fans, partners and employees.”
While the manufacturer’s change is now on the radar, the only change in the driver line-up thus far for the team in 2017 will be Stewart, who announced last year that he will retire at the end of the 2016 season. Clint Bowyer is slated to replace him. Currently, Stewart is on the mend from back injuries suffered in a non-racing incident, with Brian Vickers having driven the No. 14 in the season opening Daytona 500.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/2/372486/stewart-haas-racing-to-move-from-chevy-to-ford-in-2017