NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas released from prison

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Sunday, May 10, 2009

Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Gene Haas was released from prison Friday after serving about 16 months for tax fraud and has received permission from a U.S. District Court judge to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release.

Haas’ projected release was Sunday, but the federal Bureau of Prisons’ Web site indicated that Haas was released Friday.

Haas was sentenced to two years in prison in November 2007 and entered a Lompoc, Calif., federal correctional facility Jan. 14, 2008.

He has asked the court, and received permission, to attend NASCAR races while on supervised release. The first race mentioned in the motion is the upcoming Sprint All-Star Race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

According to the U.S. government and court records, Haas created a scheme to avoid payment of more than $34 million in taxes in 2000 and 2001. With fines and interest, he eventually paid more than $70 million to resolve his tax issues in addition to the prison term. Haas’ attorneys stated that Haas relied on the wrong people for financial and accounting advice in making mistakes on his company’s tax returns.

Haas’ race team, Haas CNC Racing, eventually became Stewart-Haas Racing when driver Tony Stewart was given a 50 percent interest in the team. Stewart-Haas Racing is in its first season, with Stewart second in the Sprint Cup standings and Ryan Newman in eighth.
 

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7 responses to "NASCAR team co-owner Gene Haas released from prison". Post a Comment.
  1. 1
    JJ Emory said:
    May 10, 2009 at 10:27 AM

    Mr. Haas has repaid his debt to society.

    I welcome him back to Nascar.

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  2. 2
    b w said:
    May 10, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Gene Haas is a hero. He owns one
    of the last remaining companies
    in America that actually makes
    machine tools. His lathes, mills
    and machining centers are
    world class and so is he.

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  3. 3
    Cathy Rooks said:
    May 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM

    I agree #1. I hope he makes the right decisions this go round and let's Tony keep doing what he is doing because Tony and Ryan are doing great!!

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  4. 4
    Robert Wilton said:
    May 10, 2009 at 11:46 AM

    Right on Tony. Ryan. Whats up? You looked a little pooped last night dude. Rock on men.

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  5. 5
    Robert Wilton said:
    May 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM

    I agree with you BW. I have been building metal cutting machines for 25 years now but most I have worked for are gone now. Haas has done well. Ironically the last company I worked for AAM was started the same year as Haas CNC. Now defunct. Way to go managment.

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  6. 6
    Manzy Trophy Girl said:
    May 10, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    Good for Gene Haas--glad to see him back with Smoke, Rocketman and the entire organization...#4 Robert: Ryan didn't look too good because he had flu symptoms, including upset stomach (ie: the sweats in post-race interview)...and he still drove the entire race. GO SMOKE, ROCKETMAN AND WELCOME BACK GENE!

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  7. 7
    Kyle Newton said:
    May 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Welcome Back Gene HAAS! Good luck to the team formerly known as HAAS CNC Racing. Stewart HAAS Rules!

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