Anheuser-Busch is discussing 2024 plans with NASCAR teams after Kevin Harvick retires

Anheuser-Busch has been having conversations with NASCAR teams about its plans for next year after Kevin Harvick retires, according to people familiar with the matter, and Trackhouse Racing is said to be a favorite to land the brewer’s business. A-B has a long history of sponsoring drivers, races and NASCAR itself, and began partnering with its current team, Stewart-Haas Racing, when Harvick joined in 2014. With Harvick set to retire after this season and join the Fox Sports broadcast booth full time, SHR and its sponsors are now sorting out their futures as it relates to the No. 4 Ford he drives. Industry sources familiar with the situation have identified the third-year team Trackhouse Racing and its breakout star driver Ross Chastain as a likely favorite to partner with A-B next year, suggesting the sides have already been having deep discussions.

It couldn’t be confirmed whether SHR was still talking to A-B. Currently, A-B only works with SHR. Asked about talking with teams over its future and how Trackhouse has been identified as a favorite, a spokesperson for Busch Light said: “Busch Light has and always will be passionate about NASCAR. We continue to be invested in the sport as an official sponsor and will always find ways to show up at races and provide new opportunities for our fans in 2023 and beyond. When it comes to sponsoring new drivers, nothing is off the table.” Trackhouse declined to comment when approached by SBJ, while SHR said, “Stewart-Haas Racing does not comment on the status of its contracts, be it driver or partner related.”