KANNAPOLIS, N.C. -- With Danica Patrick back in the Stewart-Haas Racing fold for 2016 and beyond, the team alignment for the four-driver NASCAR Sprint Cup Series campaign is less of a "glass half full" proposition and more like three-quarters full after Tuesday's announcement.
The remaining piece to the SHR puzzle is also its most recent addition -- Kurt Busch, who moved over to drive the No. 41 Chevrolet in 2014. Team co-owner Tony Stewart summed up the timing of potentially re-signing the 37-year-old driver in one word: "Soon."
Stewart's Tuesday morning comments backed up remarks by Gene Haas, the team's co-owner, in recent weeks, stating that a contract extension with the former Sprint Cup champion was nearing completion.
"I think we're getting close on that as well," Stewart said after Patrick's No. 10 Nature's Bakery Chevrolet was unveiled at the SHR shop. "Like I said, the great thing is it's seamless transitions at this point, so if we can finish up a couple details then we'll be able to focus on making these race cars good for the Chase again."
Busch and Stewart-Haas teammate Kevin Harvick are among those drivers who have already clinched a return trip to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs. Harvick, the defending Sprint Cup champion, and Busch, who was crowned in 2004, are each two-time winners this season.
Busch missed the first three races of the season because of a NASCAR-mandated suspension related to an investigation of domestic violence. After the absence, Busch has built upon his chemistry with veteran crew chief Tony Gibson, rallying to eighth place in the Sprint Cup driver standings with wins at Richmond and Michigan this year.
Busch qualified for the Chase last season with a victory at Martinsville Speedway in just his sixth start for the team. He was eliminated from the 16-driver Chase field in the opening three-race round.