Despite the upcoming closure of Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of the 2024 season, Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and longtime NASCAR team owner, has announced his continued presence in the sport with a new, streamlined operation set to debut in 2025.

The newly formed Haas Factory Team will maintain a foothold in the NASCAR Cup Series while also fielding a two-car effort in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. This strategic shift allows Haas to balance his motorsports interests with the promotional needs of his businesses.

“My commitment to motorsports hasn’t changed, just the scope of my involvement,” Haas explained. “Operating a four-car Cup Series team has become too arduous but, at the same time, I still need a platform to promote Haas Automation and grow HaasTooling.com.”

The Haas Factory Team will retain one NASCAR Cup Series legacy charter from the dissolving Stewart-Haas Racing operation. This move ensures Haas Automation maintains visibility at NASCAR’s premier level, which Haas deems crucial for his customer and distributor relationships.

In addition to the Cup Series presence, the two-car Xfinity Series program aims to provide a comprehensive NASCAR experience for team guests while adding depth to the overall operation.

Joe Custer, a longtime associate of Haas, will serve as president of the new team. The Haas Factory Team will operate out of the existing Stewart-Haas facility in Kannapolis, North Carolina, maintaining a level of continuity in infrastructure and resources.

While specific details about drivers and team partners for the 2025 season are yet to be disclosed, Haas has indicated that announcements will be made in the coming months as the 2025 NASCAR season approaches.

This restructuring represents a significant shift in Haas’s NASCAR involvement, downsizing from a four-car Cup operation to a more focused approach. However, it also demonstrates Haas’s enduring commitment to the sport and his determination to maintain a presence in NASCAR’s competitive landscape.

As the 2024 season progresses and Stewart-Haas Racing prepares for its final campaign, all eyes will be on the development of the Haas Factory Team and its potential impact on the NASCAR landscape in 2025 and beyond.