Sheldon Haudenschild will part ways with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s co-owned Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing team after completing the 2025 World of Outlaws season. The Sprint Car driver has been behind the wheel of the team’s No. 17 car for eight successful years, marking the end of a significant chapter.
Throughout his tenure, Haudenschild earned 44 wins, placing him 19th on the all-time wins list within the series. He initially joined the team following a strong rookie season in 2016 while competing with Haudenschild Racing.
The partnership produced consistent top performances, highlighted by three top-five finishes in the overall standings. Haudenschild’s career-best season came in 2020 when he secured fourth place, and he has never dropped below seventh in points during his time with the team.
Statements from Team and Driver on Upcoming Change
On September 4, Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing formally announced Haudenschild’s decision to leave at the conclusion of the 2025 season. The team’s statement reflected appreciation for Haudenschild’s contributions and the mutual decision to move forward separately.
“With immense gratitude to Ricky, Richard, and the entire Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing team, and after thoughtful consideration, Sheldon Haudenschild has made the decision to part ways with the No. 17 at the conclusion of the 2025 World of Outlaws season.”
—Team Statement
Haudenschild shared his feelings about the transition, emphasizing gratitude and reflecting positively on his time with the team.
“Driving the No. 17 has been an incredible chapter in my career. I’m thankful to Ricky, Richard, the crew, and all of our partners for the opportunities we’ve had together. We’ve made some great memories and I’ll always value my time with this team.”
—Sheldon Haudenschild
Currently fifth in the points standings, Haudenschild has secured two feature race wins and 26 top-five finishes for the season. He will continue to compete with the team through the remainder of 2025 before his departure.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Addresses Future with HYAK Motorsports Amid Speculation
While preparations for change unfold within the World of Outlaws team, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. recently tackled speculation about his own NASCAR career. In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR radio, Stenhouse Jr. confirmed his ongoing commitment to HYAK Motorsports through the 2026 season, as outlined in his current contract.
“We redid my contract last year with HYAK motor sports, and you know, so I’m here through 26, and unless they tell me otherwise or unless we redo another one and stay there for longer…..So I’ll be at the 47, you know, the rest of this year and the off-season and going into 26,”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Stenhouse Jr. has experienced a difficult season, marked by inconsistent results. His strongest performances include two top-10 finishes at Echopark Speedway, another top-10 at Texas Motor Speedway, and a fifth-place finish at Atlanta. His best qualifying effort came at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he started second.
His campaign also featured three Did Not Finish (DNF) results, including multiple collisions with Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar. The rivalry escalated into a near altercation after a race in Mexico City.
Recently, rumors suggested Stenhouse might join Spire Motorsports to replace Justin Haley, but Stenhouse’s remarks have essentially ruled out that move for now. Haley currently ranks just behind Stenhouse in points at 30th place and outperforms him in both average start and finish positions.
Looking Ahead: Shifts in Team Dynamics and Career Prospects
The upcoming change in the Stenhouse Jr. Marshall Racing lineup, marked by Haudenschild’s exit, signals potential new directions for both the driver and team following 2025. Haudenschild’s consistent success and experience will leave a substantial vacancy that the team will need to address moving forward.
Meanwhile, Ricky Stenhouse Jr.‘s affirmation of his commitment to HYAK Motorsports suggests a focus on regaining momentum in his NASCAR career despite setbacks this season. His ongoing contract indicates stability in the near term, yet performance improvements will be essential to maintaining competitive relevance.
With Haudenschild concluding a major chapter in his racing career and Stenhouse Jr. navigating a challenging period, both figures face pivotal moments that will shape their futures in motorsports.
