Office Depot to Leave Stewart-Haas Racing After 2012 Season

Office Depot sponsored Tony Stewart for 22 races during the 2012 season

Office Depot, a sponsor of Tony Stewart's No. 14 car since the reigning Cup Series champion began his own team in 2009 and a backer for 22 of his 36 races this season, announced Sunday that they will not return to Stewart-Haas racing in 2013.

This announcement comes just a few months after the team announced that they were also losing the U.S. Army as a sponsor for teammate Ryan Newman. This leaves Newman with Quicken Loans, Tornados foods and a few patchwork sponsors for next season and Stewart with Mobil 1 for just 14 races. SHR's sizable task of finding major backing for Newman just got a good bit more difficult.

"The decision to significantly curtail our with Stewart-Haas Racing was very difficult, and one that we did not take lightly," said Mindy Kramer, senior director of communications for Office Depot. "However, the changing business landscape warrants a realignment of priorities and resources."

"That being said, Tony Stewart has been an exceptional ambassador for our brand, and he has gone above and beyond in everything he has done for our company. Being a part of his legendary championship run in 2011 was a moment of tremendous pride for everyone at Office Depot."

Office Depot and Stewart won the 2011
Sprint Cup Series championship

SHR spokesman Mike Arning said that the team is in "continued discussions with Office Depot regarding possible future roles the company could have with the team."

With two cars needing significant funding for next season, it seems as if SHR becoming a three car operation will have to wait another year. Rookie Danica Patrick has a full year of sponsorship from longtime partner GoDaddy.com. But with Stewart now needing sponsorship, his team would presumably take precedence over the lame duck Newman.

With his contract up at seasons end, and no major sponsorship on the horizon, SHR has told Newman to test the waters in the Cup garage. Newman could very well end up at a new team next season, as September is late in the game to find any kind of major sponsorship.

Office Depot is just the latest in a laundry list of sponsors who have left the sport in the last two seasons. They join the like of UPS, the U.S. Army, Crown Royal, Red Bull, Verizon, Old Spice, Little Debbie, Golden Corral and General Mills. Until the economy picks back up again, it appears that this trend of major companies leaving Nascar will continue.