Joe Custer explains decision behind Haas Factory Team move from Ford to Chevy

This morning, Haas Factory Team made a major announcement. The NASCAR organization is switching from Ford to Chevy in 2026. Joe Custer, President of HFT, has explained the decision behind that move.

There are a lot of consequences regarding this move in NASCAR. This means at least one less Ford in Cup and two fewer Fords in Xfinity/O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Then you have teams that have strategic alliances with Haas. This move can have a major effect on the manufacturer’s layout next year.

Haas Factory Team is still in a transition period on the Cup Series side of things. But that makes getting back up to speed that much more important. Joe Custer explained on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“We’re excited about a single car platform, but we’ve gotta get it right. And the results speak for themselves. We’ve had some moments this year as a single-car team. Daytona’s been very good to us. So, we take those moments and we understand what we’re capable of, but how do we get more consistent?

“And it really starts in starting the weekend, delivering a race car that has more potential in it on a consistent basis,” Custer said. “That comes down to the shop and preparation and data, and engineering relationships. It can be done. I would encourage the fans and folks to take a close look at smaller teams, because they have the potential.

“They just have to look at it differently, and that’s what we’re doing. We’re trying to evolve from a large organization mindset to a nimble, smaller organization that takes advantage of its strengths and looks for solutions in areas it needs to improve and doesn’t hide from it.”

Haas Factory Team is now going to be allied with Hendrick Motorsports. It is more of a reunion than a new partnership.

“So, you know, we’ve had a long relationship with the Hendrick folks,” Custer continued. “Rick Hendrick himself brought us into this sport. Gene, he’s a patient man, but he demands improvement. Make no mistake. So, we’re not here to do the same thing over next year without addressing these clear issues we have, and he made that known to our organization that he won’t tolerate, you know, not improving and not having a trajectory that can get to winning. So, we’ve made some tough decisions, and they are tough decisions.”

For now, Cole Custer will be retained as the Cup Series driver. No shock there. Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed will return for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season. This makes Haas Factory Team, essentially, another Hyak Motorsports in the Cup Series.

As far as the O’Reilly Series, this takes away the flagship Ford program. AM Racing and RSS Racing both have technical alliances with Haas through Ford. What happens to those programs now? On top of that, this announcement happens a day after Ford Performance was rebranded to Ford Racing.

Ford says they are committing themselves to motorsports and racing with that new rebrand. Hopefully, that shows with a new flagship program in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season and a commitment to developing talent throughout the NASCAR ladder.