Despite being reportedly surprised by Stewart-Haas Racing's decision to move from Chevrolet to Ford next season, Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick says his organization is not planning to make any major changes in its alliance.
Hendrick said the team will shift its focus once it is no longer supplying engines and chassis to SHR's teams of Tony Stewart, who is currently sideline with an injury, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Danica Patrick, according to USA Today.
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"We've been pretty much taxed to keep up with all the customers we have," Hendrick told USA Today. "I think what we're going to do now is turn our efforts inward and give us a chance to do more research and development than we've been doing in the last couple of years because our guys have been flat-out."
According to the report, Hendrick does not plan to recruit another Chevrolet team with which to align, instead concentrating on its own work with its teams of six-time champion Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne and rookie Chase Elliott.
Hendrick also said he doesn't expect to lose any people through the change.
"I'm not going to lay off anybody or get rid of any people," he told USA Today. "All of my folks got jobs because we've got plenty to do."
Hendrick general manager Doug Duchardt did address during the Fox pre-race show whether the relationship will change going forward this season.
"We're going to continue to provide them with chassis to their specifications," Duchardt told Fox. "Hendrick Motorsports is going to support them like we did in the past. However, we will change how we exchange information, which is understandable that it will change for this year, but I think the Stewart-Haas fans can rest assured we're going to support them in a professional way for 2016."