Haas Factory Team fields one full-time NASCAR Cup team with Cole Custer, as well as two full-time Xfinity teams with Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer. There will be no changes to their driver lineup for 2026, but Haas will be making a major manufacturer switch as they leave Ford and join forces with Chevrolet.
The change brings with it a new technical alliance, partnering with Hendrick Motorsports and using Hendrick-supplied engines.
“First and foremost, we want to thank Ford for its partnership,” said Joe Custer, president of the Haas Factory Team. “Their support allowed us to establish Haas Factory Team and we remain dedicated to delivering results for them in Cup and Xfinity all the way through the season finale in Phoenix.”
A history with Chevrolet
Kurt Busch, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Photo by: Action Sports Photography
This will not be the first time Gene Haas has partnered with Chevrolet in NASCAR. Haas CNC Racing ran bowties for several years, and continued to do so with the establishment of Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009. Together, they won the 2011 and 2014 NASCAR Cup Series championships, and SHR remained allied with Chevrolet until the end of the 2016 season, when the decision was made to switch to Ford.
When SHR shut down at the end of the 2024 season, Haas rebranded what was left of the team and continued on with one charter for this season. Custer was in contention for the win in both Daytona races, but it’s been a difficult year overall, as the No. 41 Ford sits 33rd in points with just two top tens.
“Personally, I have a deep history with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports,” Haas said in a press release. “Both helped in establishing not only my presence as a team owner in NASCAR, but also the presence of Haas Automation. Together, we were able to build a race team that competed for wins and championships while growing the use of Haas CNC machinery throughout the racing and manufacturing industries.”
Cole Custer, Haas Factory Team Ford
Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images
Hendrick already has an existing technical alliance with Spire Motorsports (Nos. 7, 71 and 77), as well as the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports entry in the Cup Series.
“We have a long history with Gene and his organization, including winning championships together, so this feels almost like a homecoming,” said Rick Hendrick, owner and founder of Hendrick Motorsports. “Our relationship started many years ago with Haas CNC machines in our facilities, and I’ve always admired the passion that he and Joe Custer have for the sport and their desire to win. We’re proud to support Haas Factory Team and thrilled to work together to deliver more victories for Chevrolet.”
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