The Legacy of Stewart-Haas Racing Lives On Through Gene Haas and Brad Keselowski’s New Alliance with RFK Racing
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) stands as one of the most iconic teams in NASCAR history. Gene Haas, initially unsuccessful as a team owner with Haas CNC Racing, found his golden touch when he teamed up with Tony Stewart in 2008. The result was nothing short of remarkable: two NASCAR Cup Series championships (2011, 2014) and a total of 70 race wins. However, after the team began winding down its operations in mid-2024, the SHR era officially came to a close, leaving many to wonder if the legacy of success would fade with it.
But Gene Haas, ever the determined entrepreneur, is not ready to walk away from NASCAR just yet. Instead, he’s leveraging his vast automotive knowledge and resources to forge a new path with the creation of the Haas Factory Team (HFT). While it may be the end of SHR, Haas is far from giving up on the sport. His next move: a strong partnership with RFK Racing, one of Ford’s most promising teams.
A New Beginning with Brad Keselowski’s Support
The key player in this new chapter is none other than 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski. Keselowski has revitalized RFK Racing since joining the team in 2022, helping them break out of a mid-2010s slump and elevate the team to competitiveness.
Keselowski’s involvement with HFT is a natural extension of his role at RFK Racing. His technical acumen and leadership are expected to give the nascent team the competitive edge it needs. Aaron Kramer, a seasoned engineer who worked with RFK Racing since 2016 and now serves as crew chief for the HFT No. 41 car, shared his insights on the technical alliance between the two teams. He noted that while the two teams will operate independently, they would benefit from sharing crucial information, such as car setups, race strategies, and engineering theories.
“It’s probably well-engrained that as far as our visibility into what RFK is doing is what we can hope for,” Kramer said. “Obviously, we’re in separate buildings, with separate people, different tools, and different ways of putting cars together. But this is a pseudo-fourth car in terms of the support we’re going to get.”
This “pseudo-fourth car” relationship indicates the strong technical collaboration that will be at the heart of the HFT-RFK alliance. Despite the separate operations, the support and shared knowledge between the teams are expected to help HFT get up to speed quickly in the competitive NASCAR landscape.
The Challenge of Continuing SHR’s Legacy
Rebuilding a competitive NASCAR team after the demise of SHR won’t be an easy task. The legacy of SHR under Tony Stewart, with its dominant years and championships, looms large. But with the technical backing of RFK Racing and the leadership of Brad Keselowski, Haas is optimistic about the future.
Joe Custer, head of the HFT operation, expressed confidence in the team’s blueprint for success. He pointed out that the advent of the Next-Gen car has leveled the playing field, reducing the advantages once enjoyed by wealthier, multi-car teams. This means that smaller, single-car operations now have a better chance to compete at a high level, provided they have the right support and strategy.
“We can check the box on the physical parts and pieces and capital investment that we had,” Custer said. “But candidly, we’re leaning on Brad (Keselowski) and his group at RFK to add to what our knowledge base is and help us evolve.”
Keselowski’s experience and insights into the Next-Gen car and NASCAR’s evolving dynamics are expected to be invaluable for the HFT program. As Custer noted, the relationship is not a one-way street; HFT can also provide strategic resources that can bolster RFK Racing’s efforts, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
Keselowski’s Role in HFT’s Future Success
For Gene Haas, the decision to partner with Keselowski and RFK Racing represents a clear commitment to success. Keselowski is not just a driver; he is a team owner and a leader with deep technical expertise. His involvement ensures that the HFT team will have the guidance it needs to stay competitive as it looks to build a new legacy in NASCAR.
Aaron Kramer’s comments reinforce the sense of competition and camaraderie that will fuel HFT’s growth. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong internal competitive culture, which he experienced firsthand at RFK Racing. “The first car that you wanted to beat was your teammate,” he recalled. “That same attitude is there going forward… just because we have a technical alliance doesn’t mean we’re going to get help that other people would or would not otherwise get.”
This fierce internal competition, coupled with the external support from RFK Racing, is expected to accelerate HFT’s development. The shared knowledge base and strategies will give them a solid foundation for success, while the competitive spirit will keep them pushing toward excellence.
A New Era for Gene Haas and NASCAR
While the end of Stewart-Haas Racing marks the conclusion of an era, it also paves the way for a new and exciting chapter in Gene Haas’s NASCAR journey. The Haas Factory Team, with the support of Brad Keselowski and RFK Racing, is primed to build on the legacy of SHR and carve out its own success. Through a combination of technical collaboration, competitive drive, and strategic leadership, Haas is determined to keep his presence felt in NASCAR for years to come.
As the team embarks on this new venture, the combination of Gene Haas’s ambition and Brad Keselowski’s expertise makes for an exciting prospect for fans and competitors alike. If this new partnership proves as successful as their plans suggest, the Haas legacy in NASCAR could continue to shine brightly for many seasons ahead.
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