HScott Motorsports will not compete in NASCAR in 2017

HScott Motorsports announced Monday it will not field a team in NASCAR’s premier series in 2017.

The move had been expected for some time.

The team sold its charter that was used for the No. 15 car of Clint Bowyer to Premium Motorsports. The charter the organization leased from Premium Motorsports for the No. 46 car of Michael Annett was sold by Premium Motorsports to Furniture Row Racing for the No. 77 car rookie Erik Jones will drive in 2017.

Bowyer will drive the No. 14 at Stewart-Haas Racing in place of Tony Stewart next year, and Annett moves to the Xfinity Series to drive for JR Motorsports.

Harry Scott Jr., issued a statement Monday that read:

“Over the past several months I considered a number of options for moving forward with the team. Regrettably there are no viable sponsor/driver options immediately available to allow the team to participate in 2017.

“One thing I learned about NASCAR is that it is a ‘people business.’ I will forever be grateful to the men and women who worked tirelessly to make HScott Racing successful. This includes our dedicated employees, sponsors and partners. We were fortunate to have the support of world-class sponsors like Brandt, DC Solar, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Pilot Flying J, and 5 hour ENERGY. Our racing program would not have been possible without the assistance of Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports, and Chevrolet.

“I love this sport and being part of it. I invested in NASCAR because I truly believe it represents the best racing competition in the world and the best people in all sports. Looking back, I will always be especially proud of the unprecedented success of our NASCAR K&N Series teams, including four consecutive championships and for the lifelong friendships that were forged over the last seven years. My hope is that we were able to develop drivers that will thrive at the highest levels for years to come.”

Scott purchased Phoenix Racing from long-time car owner James Finch in August 2013. Justin Allgaier joined the team and ran all but one race in 2014-15. The organization moved to two cars in 2015 when Annett joined. Bowyer replaced Allgaier for this past season.

HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks won the last four NASCAR K&N Pro Series East titles. Those drivers were Justin Haley (2016), William Byron (2015), Ben Rhodes (2014) and Dylan Kwasniewski (2013).