Martinsville Madness: SHR Drivers Eyeing Victory

The almighty grandfather clock prize is up for grabs this Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, and Stewart-Haas Racing is revving up to seize the win that eluded them last season. "I'm stoked for Martinsville," piped Josh Berry, the rookie eyeing his premiere Cup race at the historic track. He's not alone in his optimism; the team's short track prowess has been well-noted in the Next Gen car's era.

Chase Briscoe is a prime example—hitting top-five finishes keeps him in the limelight, never dropping below ninth at the Virginia track. Aric Almirola and Ryan Preece aren't far behind, with consistent performances and lap-leading stints that showcase SHR's capabilities where it counts.

"We're hitting our stride at Martinsville," said Preece, hopeful despite the unknowns of the Cup cars' updated short track package. The key? Qualifying and track position. Preece is gunning for speed in dirty air, hungry for the maneuverability that teammate Berry showcased at Richmond, soaring from 30th to 4th.

Turning the Corner: SHR's Comeback Trail

Team co-owner Tony Stewart threw down the gauntlet at the start of the season, refusing to accept last year's slump. "Major changes are in store if results don't come," he declared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. And the team is responding, showing promising signs like Chase Briscoe's and Noah Gragson's dual top-10 finishes, and Berry's speed at short tracks.

Execution on race weekends is what it's all about from here. As Briscoe put it, SHR's progress is undeniable, but there's still a mountain to climb. The speed is there, it's just a matter of rolling fast, steering clear of mistakes, and grasping that elusive victory. With the clock ticking down to Sunday, all eyes are on SHR to turn their potential into a win.