In a definitive move, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. has dismissed speculation about leaving HYAK Motorsports for Spire Motorsports in 2026, affirming his ongoing commitment to the team. This major decision anchors the future of Ricky Stenhouse Jr. commitment to HYAK Motorsports, a squad that maintains a single entry in the highest tier of American stock car racing.
Stenhouse Jr.’s Career Shifts and Loyalty to the Team
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a four-time Cup Series race winner and Memphis native, first gained a full-time seat with Roush Fenway Racing, now rebranded as RFK Racing, and competed with them up to 2019. After his replacement by Chris Buescher, there was a straightforward swap between teams, marking a pivotal moment in his career trajectory. Since joining the present squad, he has delivered two race victories and consistently contributed to the team‘s success.
Adding to the team‘s competitive advantage, Stenhouse Jr. has leveraged a technical partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, which has been instrumental in achieving three top-10 finishes during the 2025 season. Though he had ambitions for a stronger 2025 campaign, securing a multi-year contract in 2024 was a smart step, especially as new opportunities with Spire Motorsports surfaced later.
Looking to the future, Stenhouse Jr. is focused on helping HYAK Motorsports deliver strong results in 2026, acknowledging the team‘s unwavering support throughout his recent years in the premier league of NASCAR.
Adapting to Change: The Team’s New Identity
HYAK Motorsports, formerly JTG Daugherty Racing, experienced a partial shift in ownership last year that led to its current name and branding. Stenhouse Jr. has been part of this transition, experiencing firsthand how the rebranding impacted—or didn’t impact—the race operations and team dynamic. When asked about the transformation and its effects, he explained:
“Nothing has changed on the competition side. My team has stayed the same with my engineers and shop guys. I think that’s what helped us get off to a hot start. We focused this offseason on what we needed to get better at from last year…”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver
“Executing was pretty high on the list. We still need to get our speed better. But even when we had cars that weren’t as we needed them to be, we worked the system with strategy, good restarts and just came out with good finishes.”
—Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Driver
Even after missing out on the playoffs for 2025, Stenhouse Jr. has aimed for higher performance, particularly focusing on execution and race-day results. Despite qualifying challenges, he often delivers stronger finishes on Sundays, highlighted by an impressive top-five result in Atlanta.
The Broader Impact of Stenhouse Jr.’s Multi-Year Extension
Stenhouse Jr.’s renewed commitment to HYAK Motorsports not only provides stability for himself but also strengthens the squad’s continuity as the organization continues to evolve. His presence, along with the technical support from partners like Hendrick Motorsports and steadfast backing from team owners, positions the team to strive for improved results as the 2026 season approaches. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see if this blend of loyalty, technical collaboration, and resilience delivers the breakthrough performance both driver and team are seeking.
