NASCAR team schedules ‘major announcement’
By Asher Fair
The Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR Cup Series team have said that they are planning to make a “major announcement” this coming Wednesday afternoon.
Stewart-Haas Racing revealed on Monday that they are planning to make a “major announcement” this coming Wednesday afternoon, presumably a driver announcement about their NASCAR Cup Series team.
Kevin Harvick, who has been with the team as the driver of the No. 4 car since the 2014 season, announced before the 2023 season began that he would be retiring once it ended, wrapping up a 23-year career at NASCAR’s highest level. He is set to move to the Fox Sports broadcast booth alongside Clint Bowyer and Mike Joy in 2024.
Josh Berry, who competes full-time for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, has been linked to Stewart-Haas Racing as Harvick’s replacement behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford. He is also said to be finalizing a management deal with KHI (Kevin Harvick, Inc.) Management.
SHR says it has a "major announcement" at 1p ET Wednesday. It is expected to be the Josh Berry announcement. Harvick, Childers among those to be there. I've reported Berry is leading SHR candidate and Matt Weaver and Jordan Bianchi have reported its' done/being finalized.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 19, 2023
Harvick, team co-owner Tony Stewart, crew chief Rodney Childers, and chief competition officer Greg Zipadelli are set to be in attendance for this “major announcement”.
Berry, a five-time Xfinity Series winner, competed for the Hendrick Motorsports Cup Series team in several races earlier this year when Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman were injured.
He emerged as a top candidate for a full-time NASCAR Cup Series seat with several impressive performances.
This announcement will officially make this coming offseason the seventh in the last eight years during which Stewart-Haas Racing have made a driver change, and it may not be their last of the year.
Aric Almirola, who has driven the No. 10 Ford since replacing Danica Patrick in 2018, is also said to be considering retirement after pushing back his original retirement plans last year.
Chase Briscoe has driven the No. 14 Ford since replacing Bowyer in 2021, and Ryan Preece is in his first season behind the wheel of the No. 41 Ford after replacing Cole Custer.
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Sponsorship for what is assumed to be Berry’s entry has not yet been announced, but it has long been believed that Busch Light will be moving on from Stewart-Haas Racing, with Trackhouse Racing Team and Ross Chastain rumored to be the new landing spot.