What Haas Factory Team’s Hendrick–Chevy Alliance Signals About NASCAR’s Next Manufacturer War Haas Factory Team's switch from Ford to Chevrolet indicates more than just the shifting dynamics in the NA

It finally happened. NASCAR’s worst-kept secret is finally out in the open, as the Haas Factory Team confirmed what most in the community had long expected. The team is leaving Ford and switching to Chevrolet from the 2026 season. The deal doesn’t just end with a manufacturer swap, as Haas will also be entering into a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR’s most successful team. As things stand, its driver lineup is expected to remain intact, with Cole Custer continuing in the Cup Series, while Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer will be competing in the soon-to-be-renamed O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The optics surrounding the switch are as important as the move itself. With Chevy entering the picture, the team is officially moving forward from the Tony Stewart era. Back in the day