The Haas Factory Team has announced a major shift, revealing a new Rick Hendrick Chevrolet NASCAR partnership for the 2026 season that ends their alliance with Ford. The team, set to compete with Chevrolet chassis and engines in both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series, will work closely with Hendrick Motorsports starting next year.
Previously, Stewart-Haas Racing raced under the Ford banner from 2017 through the close of the 2024 season, after which the organization shut down. Following this, Tony Stewart sold two of his team charters, while Gene Haas kept one and established the Haas Factory Team, which now races in the current NASCAR season. Continuing their earlier relationship, HFT partnered with Ford into 2025 before announcing this upcoming switch to Chevrolet as part of a groundbreaking collaboration with Hendrick Motorsports for the following year.
Details of the Hendrick-Haas Chevrolet Alliance
Rick Hendrick’s NASCAR operation will provide Chevrolet engines for the Haas Factory Team’s only full-time Cup Series car and two full-time entries in the Xfinity Series, which will soon be known as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. This move comes as Chevrolet leads the 2025 Cup Series in number of wins, followed by Toyota, with Ford trailing.
Joe Custer, current President of the Haas Factory Team, publicly expressed gratitude towards their outgoing engine supplier, saying,
“First and foremost, we want to thank Ford for its partnership. 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.”
The partnership is expected to provide a fresh competitive outlook for Haas, leveraging the proven track record of Hendrick Motorsports with Chevrolet engines.
Gene Haas Restores Partnership Roots with Chevrolet
The move to Chevrolet marks a return to the brand for Gene Haas, whose original NASCAR outfit, Haas CNC Racing, was launched in 2002. By 2009, Haas joined forces with Tony Stewart to form Stewart-Haas Racing, where they partnered with Chevrolet until switching to Ford engines in 2017 after collaborating with Roush-Yates Engines.
Gene Haas emphasized his enduring connections with both Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports, stating,
“Personally, I have a long history with Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports. 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.”
The introduction of Chevrolet-powered Hendrick engines is anticipated to help Haas recapture competitive form. Currently, Cole Custer is the team’s sole full-time Cup Series driver for 2025, piloting the #41 Ford to a best finish of fourth place at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.
Looking Ahead: New Era for Haas Factory Team
The new Rick Hendrick Chevrolet NASCAR partnership positions Haas Factory Team for a potentially stronger performance beginning in 2026. With historical ties between Gene Haas, Chevrolet, and Hendrick Motorsports, the alliance is seen as a strategic move that could increase the team’s competitiveness in both Cup and the soon-to-be NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Fans and rivals eagerly anticipate how this collaboration might shape the next era for HFT and the greater NASCAR landscape.
