Sam Mayer’s steady rise in the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series has drawn greater attention in the wake of Haas Factory Team’s announcement that it will transition from Ford to Chevrolet in 2026. As Mayer continues to pursue the championship, the Sam Mayer NASCAR Haas Ford switch underscores both the importance of manufacturer partnerships and the personal ambitions driving one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Mayer’s Adaptation and Results Before the Major Switch
This season, Sam Mayer’s journey at the Haas Factory Team, following his move from JR Motorsports, has been a testament to his adaptability and determination. Throughout 2025, Mayer has delivered several standout performances, maintaining consistent top-10 finishes and shining with a podium at COTA and a runner-up showing at Daytona. These achievements have bolstered his position as a legitimate championship contender, reflecting both his individual capability and the supportive environment provided by Haas and Ford.
With the team’s recent decision to switch manufacturers, the leadership has remained transparent. Joe Custer, Team President, candidly addressed the reasoning, stating,
This is a performance based, results driven sport and we need to be better. Candidly, we expected to have to assess where we were by a certain point this year and we found reasons for optimism but we also needed a reality check in other areas.
—Joe Custer, Team President. Despite change on the horizon, Mayer insists his focus—and Ford’s—remain intact for the rest of the current season.
Maintaining Momentum with Ford in 2025
As the 2025 Xfinity campaign enters its latter stages, Mayer has expressed complete confidence in the tools and support available to him and teammate Sheldon Creed. In an interview, Mayer emphasized that communication and transparency within the program are at an all-time high:
I can only speak for the Xfinity side between me and Sheldon and the Haas Factory team. But yeah, the information is wide open.
—Sam Mayer, NASCAR Driver. Even after the public announcement of the 2026 switch, Mayer and Creed confirmed that practice sessions and team efforts remain unwavering, with Ford staying fully engaged in their championship push.
Recent outings have demonstrated this continued dedication. At the Nu Way 200 at WWT Raceway, Mayer clocked the fastest lap of the session, capitalizing on Ford’s ongoing data and engineering support. The drive for the title is unwavering, and Mayer’s objectives are clear, as he has stated,
We want to win a championship as a Ford racing team, and everyone at Ford and Ford Racing wants that as well,
—Sam Mayer. The highlight at Iowa Speedway—where Mayer led the final 28 laps to win Ford’s first Xfinity Series race of 2025—solidified both his own playoff hopes and Ford’s confidence in their partnership through the end of the season.
Mayer has stressed there’s no drop-off in engagement, commenting,
they’re giving us every ounce of information they can give us, and we’re still in the simulator.
—Sam Mayer. Preparation behind the scenes remains crucial, with Mayer noting the value of intense simulator sessions and targeted refinement for challenging tracks, such as Bristol. He shared his view that the synergy between car setup, data feedback, and driver input is stronger than ever:
I just got out of the simulator yesterday afternoon, and we had a really good time at Bristol,
—Sam Mayer.
Beyond the technical side, Mayer’s self-belief continues to grow with every session, reflected by comments like,
I think that we’re firing off really, really good. I’m really excited to see what we can do,
—Sam Mayer. Heading into every remaining race, the emphasis is on maximizing every opportunity and carrying positive momentum into the playoffs.
Looking Ahead: Repaying Ford’s Commitment
As the manufacturer switch news reverberates through the garage, Mayer has been outspoken about his appreciation for Ford’s role in his story this year. He reflected:
Everything is wide open right now. I’m really looking forward to finishing the season off with Ford. They’ve been a great partner of Haas Factory and a partner of mine, honestly, and they’ve treated me really well,
—Sam Mayer. Each practice, race, and strategy session is approached with a playoff mentality, setting up a hopeful final charge toward Phoenix.
This sense of gratitude is matched by a strong sense of loyalty and purpose. Mayer made his intentions clear as the team aims squarely at a deep postseason run:
I want to repay that favor with hopefully racing for a championship here at the end of the year in Phoenix.
—Sam Mayer. While manufacturer alignment is set to change, Mayer stresses that foundational relationships and the trust built this season carry lasting importance.
Technical Alliances: Hendrick Motorsports and a New Era for Haas NASCAR
The imminent shift isn’t confined to the badge on the nose of the race car. Haas will align with Hendrick Motorsports, forging a technical partnership with the most decorated organization in NASCAR Cup Series history. This new connection signals Haas Factory Team’s intent to evolve into a true front-running force by leveraging Hendrick’s industry-leading infrastructure and technical resources.
Team stability is a priority, with Cole Custer continuing to represent Haas in the Cup Series, while Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer will contest the newly rebranded O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Cole Custer highlighted the sustained foundation between key partners:
The times have changed but what hasn’t changed is the relationship,
—Cole Custer. He added,
It’s a healthy relationship. Rick has always appreciated good manufacturing and our heritage is in CNC machinery and metal cutting.
—Cole Custer. The move away from long-standing Ford ties represents both a break with the Tony Stewart era—marked by the 2011 and 2014 championships with Stewart and Kevin Harvick—and a strategic pivot to new alliances and approaches.
Joining forces with Hendrick Motorsports opens immediate access to development tools—chassis setups, aerodynamic data, and simulation work—already proven with successes from drivers such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Chase Elliott. As Haas Factory Team steps into this new chapter, Gene Haas and his organization now have a clearer, more direct path to becoming perennial contenders, no longer forced to find competitive advantages in isolation.
Impact of the Manufacturer Change on Haas and Mayer’s NASCAR Future
This pending manufacturer and alliance realignment marks a pivotal moment for Haas Factory Team and Sam Mayer. The Sam Mayer NASCAR Haas Ford switch has the potential to reshape the team’s competitive outlook for years, altering everything from on-track performance to engineering philosophies and partnership dynamics. For Mayer, the focus for now remains locked on 2025, capitalizing on Ford’s unwavering commitment and aiming to reward that investment with a championship.
Looking beyond, the technical relationship with Hendrick Motorsports promises advantages that could redefine what’s possible for Gene Haas’s team, both in the Cup Series through Cole Custer and in the Xfinity ranks with Creed and Mayer. With support from NASCAR icons and access to top-tier technology, Haas appears poised for a renaissance fueled by collaboration rather than independence.
As the racing season unfolds, all eyes will be on Sam Mayer, his resolve in the face of change, and the outcome of his quest to bring a title to Ford before the next era begins. The coming months will reveal whether the blend of loyalty, preparation, and innovative partnerships will set new standards for both Mayer and Haas Factory Team in the ultra-competitive world of NASCAR.
