The NASCAR community was set ablaze on September 5, 2025, when Haas Factory Team announced a stunning manufacturer switch from Ford to Chevrolet for the 2026 season, forging a high-octane technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports. This bombshell, revealed via a press release on the team’s X account, marks a seismic shift for the Kannapolis-based squad, which fields Cole Custer in the NASCAR Cup Series and Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer in the Xfinity Series, soon to be rebranded as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The move, which includes access to Hendrick-built engines, has ignited excitement and speculation among fans, with #HaasChevy trending as the sport anticipates a revitalized team.

Gene Haas, the team’s owner, described the decision as a “full-circle moment,” referencing his earlier NASCAR ventures with Chevrolet under Haas CNC Racing from 2002 to 2016. “Chevrolet and Hendrick helped build my presence in NASCAR and Haas Automation,” Haas said, emphasizing the alliance’s potential to elevate performance. The partnership with Hendrick, NASCAR’s most successful organization with 14 Cup titles, promises technical expertise and engine firepower that could transform Haas Factory Team’s competitiveness after a lackluster 2025 season, where Custer’s best finishes were an eighth in Mexico City and a fourth at Daytona.

Team president Joe Custer expressed gratitude to Ford, stating, “Their support established Haas Factory Team, and we’re committed to delivering for them through Phoenix.” However, the switch to Chevrolet, effective at the Cook Out Clash on February 1, 2026, signals a strategic pivot. Hendrick’s Rick Hendrick called it “almost a homecoming,” noting their shared history, including championships with Stewart-Haas Racing. The alliance grants Haas access to the same technical ecosystem powering drivers like Kyle Larson, enhancing their edge against rivals like RFK Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing.

Fans on X are buzzing, with one post proclaiming, “Haas with Hendrick engines? Watch out, NASCAR!” The driver lineup remains unchanged, with Custer piloting the No. 41 Cup car and Creed and Mayer in the Nos. 00 and 41 Xfinity entries, ensuring continuity as they adapt to Chevrolet’s Camaro. Sam Mayer’s Iowa Speedway win in August 2025, the team’s lone victory this season, hints at their potential with Hendrick’s resources. The move also strengthens Chevrolet’s 2026 roster, alongside allies like Spire Motorsports, potentially challenging Ford and Toyota’s depth.

The announcement comes amid NASCAR’s broader drama, including a lawsuit from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports over charter disputes. Haas’s alignment with Chevrolet positions them to capitalize on stability and innovation, with rumors of advanced aerodynamics testing already circulating. As the 2025 playoffs intensify, this alliance has sparked a frenzy, promising a fiercer Haas Factory Team when Custer takes the green flag at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026, ready to shake up the NASCAR hierarchy.