Many argue that the glory days of Stewart-Haas Racing ended when Kevin Harvick made his last laps in the #4 Ford at Phoenix last November. But even The Closer expressed ‘surprise’ at seeing his long-time friend Tony Stewart’s NASCAR venture go from “4Ever to 4Ward to 4Sale” in only a few months since, on a recent release of “Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour”.

After all, the woes were barely apparent on the surface for Stewart-Haas when Harvick was getting ready to hang up his helmet full-time… or were they? The former spotter for SHR’s #14 car, Brett Griffin, & his podcast partner, Freddie Kraft, like thousands of others online, agreed upon one fact.

Harvick’s condescending views last week on his podcast about Gene Haas and Stewart’s “hands-off” ownership approach are only “the second time” he has taken a shot at what seems to be a steadily souring relationship. This is now causing many to speculate if Smoke has lost the fire of one of his strongest admirers, who gifted his race team one-half of their unforgettable 15-year-long championship glory.