End of the Road? Mike Harmon Racing May Be Shutting Down After 17 Gritty Years in Xfinity Series

April 12, 2025 – NASCAR Newsroom

After nearly two decades of scrappy survival and underdog determination, Mike Harmon Racing (MHR) may be preparing to shut its doors. According to a report from ARCA News Central, the long-running NASCAR Xfinity Series team could close down within the next week—marking the end of one of the sport’s most enduring small-team stories.

Signs of trouble have been mounting throughout the 2025 season. MHR has failed to qualify for three races, withdrew from Bristol—one of the most fan-friendly and high-profile stops on the calendar—and recently posted, then quickly deleted, a cryptic “Unfortunately…” message on X (formerly Twitter), sparking a flurry of speculation and concern among fans and industry insiders.

A True Underdog Story

Founded by former driver Mike Harmon, the team has become synonymous with persistence in NASCAR’s second-tier series. Operating on a shoestring budget and often racing with older equipment, MHR has fielded a rotating cast of journeymen drivers and up-and-comers since first entering the Xfinity Series full-time in 2008.

While top-10 finishes were rare and wins never materialized, MHR earned a loyal following for simply showing up, grinding it out, and defying the odds to stay on the grid year after year. For many, Mike Harmon Racing wasn’t just a team—it was the embodiment of grassroots NASCAR grit.

Recent Struggles and Shifting Landscape

The 2025 season has been especially brutal. DNQs (Did Not Qualify) have piled up, sponsorship has grown scarcer, and increased competition has made it harder than ever for smaller operations to survive. In a sport where even mid-tier teams fight to stay afloat, the margin for error for outfits like MHR is razor-thin.

The deleted “Unfortunately…” post only fanned the flames, with some speculating that a formal announcement was drafted but pulled at the last second—perhaps as final attempts to save the team continued behind closed doors.

Reaction Across the Garage

News of the possible closure has been met with a wave of respect and sadness from fans and fellow competitors alike.

“Say what you want, but Harmon always gave 100% with what he had,” one veteran crew member posted. “If this is it for MHR, they deserve a standing ovation. They made it 17 years when others didn’t last five,” another fan commented online.

What’s Next?

As of now, no official statement has been made by Mike Harmon or team representatives. But if the reports are accurate, the upcoming days may bring confirmation of a heartbreaking farewell.

Whether the team shuts down permanently or finds a way to regroup in another form, the potential end of Mike Harmon Racing is more than just a footnote—it’s the close of a chapter that showcased the passion and resilience of NASCAR’s blue-collar backbone.