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.
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**Pietro Fittipaldi Eyes NASCAR Debut with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91**
Pietro Fittipaldi, the Brazilian-American Haas F1 reserve driver and grandson of two-time Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is closer than ever to realizing his NASCAR dream after a near-miss four years ago. Now 28, Fittipaldi’s journey from open-wheel racing to stock cars has reignited interest, with Trackhouse Racing’s innovative “Project 91” program emerging as a potential gateway for his debut.
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### **Background: A Lifelong Passion for Stock Cars**
Fittipaldi’s roots in NASCAR trace back to his childhood in Miami, where he began karting at age nine. By 2011, he was competing in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, earning a Limited Late Models track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 2012. Reflecting on this period, he noted, *“I learned so much from car racing through NASCAR”*—a foundation that fueled his versatility across disciplines like IndyCar, endurance racing, and F1.
Despite his success in Europe—including titles in Formula Renault and Formula V8 3.5—Fittipaldi’s heart remained tied to oval racing. In 2021, a collaboration between Dale Coyne Racing and Rick Ware Racing nearly secured him a NASCAR road course seat, but logistical hurdles derailed the plan. Rick Ware, a Cup Series team owner, praised Fittipaldi’s talent, calling him a “natural fit” for NASCAR.
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### **The Trackhouse Racing Opportunity**
Trackhouse Racing’s **Project 91**—a initiative designed to bring global motorsport stars into NASCAR—has become Fittipaldi’s most promising avenue. The program previously hosted F1 legend Kimi Räikkönen and Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen, who transitioned to full-time NASCAR racing after his Project 91 debut.
In a recent interview, Fittipaldi expressed enthusiasm: *“Of course, it would be amazing. I feel like my roots are NASCAR racing… I’ve always loved oval racing too”*. Trackhouse’s openness to international talent aligns with Fittipaldi’s profile, especially given his dual role as Haas F1’s reserve driver and his current commitments in IMSA and the European Le Mans Series.
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### **Challenges and Logistics**
Balancing F1 duties with a NASCAR debut remains a hurdle. Fittipaldi’s schedule includes reserve drives for Haas, IMSA races with Pratt Miller Motorsports, and ELMS campaigns with Vector Sport. However, Trackhouse’s flexible Project 91 model—which allows for one-off entries—could accommodate his packed calendar.
Another factor is equipment availability. Trackhouse’s No. 91 car is reserved for guest drivers, but the team also fields the No. 88 for van Gisbergen. With van Gisbergen now racing full-time, Fittipaldi could target road courses like Circuit of the Americas or Watkins Glen, where his open-wheel expertise would shine.
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### **Historical Context: F1 Drivers in NASCAR**
Fittipaldi’s potential move follows a small but notable trend of F1 drivers exploring NASCAR. Champions like Jenson Button, Kimi Räikkönen, and Juan Pablo Montoya have all dabbled in stock cars, though none achieved sustained success. Fittipaldi’s unique background—blending NASCAR grassroots experience with F1 technical knowledge—could set him apart.
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### **Conclusion: A Full-Circle Moment**
For Fittipaldi, a NASCAR debut would fulfill a lifelong ambition. As he told *Frontstretch*, *“I was super excited to do it back then… It feels like destiny.”* With Trackhouse’s global vision and his own resilience—honed through a career-threatening 2018 crash at Spa—the stars may finally align for this cross-disciplinary racer.
If successful, Fittipaldi’s journey could further bridge the gap between F1 and NASCAR, inspiring a new generation of drivers to embrace versatility in motorsport.
