The NASCAR world was turned upside down when Haas Factory Team dropped a bombshell that nobody saw coming – not even their own driver. Sam Mayer thought he knew everything about his team’s plans for next season. He was wrong. When the announcement hit that Haas would be switching from Ford to Chevrolet in 2026, even Mayer scrambled to process what it all meant.
Why Did the Haas Factory Team News Catch Sam Mayer Off Guard?
Change happens fast in NASCAR, but this one moved at warp speed. The Haas Factory Team’s decision to switch manufacturers has left many stunned, including team driver Sam Mayer, who admitted the news caught him off guard.
The NASCAR paddock was buzzing this week after the Haas Factory Team revealed it would shift its manufacturer allegiance from Ford to Chevrolet beginning with the 2026 season. The announcement before the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway sent ripples through the garage and caught even Mayer by surprise.
When Mayer walked into his media session at World Wide Technology Raceway, he addressed one of the season’s biggest surprises. Speaking to the media ahead of the race, Mayer admitted that the news came out of nowhere.
Sam Mayer addressed Haas Factory Team’s announcement that they’re moving to Chevrolet in 2026, saying it “kind of fell in our lap” the last 4-5 days. Mayer said he was taken aback by the move.
Still, Mayer says Ford remains supportive of the team. “They said explicitly ‘We’re… pic.twitter.com/IOPb0sQysi
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 5, 2025
Mayer said, “Everyone at Ford has been amazing to work with. Obviously, this announcement kind of fell in our lap the last like four or five days for myself, so I was definitely taken aback a little bit by it. It’s definitely an interesting choice of a Haas Factory driver.”
“But yeah, everyone at Ford has been awesome to work with all year, and they said exclusively, like, ‘We’re going to make sure you win the championship at the end of the year.’ So I’m really looking forward to that.”
He added, “Obviously, we’re kind of the foundation of the Xfinity series for Ford. So they want to see the best for us, and I’m going to make sure that happens. We’re going to make sure to win the championship for Ford and go raise that championship. That’s the goal anyway. So really looking forward to it, but we got the rest of this year, and obviously next year is going to be exciting as well.”
What Does This Manufacturer Switch Mean for NASCAR’s Balance of Power?
The manufacturer switch represents one of the most significant shakeups of the season, reflecting broader competition between Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota for top-tier NASCAR teams. While Haas has long maintained close ties with Ford, the move to Chevrolet could realign rivalries and impact the balance of power in the Xfinity Series and beyond.
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For Mayer, however, the focus remains narrower and immediate. The 22-year-old is determined to use Ford’s support this season to chase the Xfinity Series title, even as the team prepares for a future in a different camp. Ford’s commitment to helping Mayer secure a championship this year shows how manufacturer relationships extend beyond simple business deals.
The timing of the announcement, coming just days before a crucial race weekend, highlights how quickly these major decisions can reshape team dynamics. Despite the surprise, Mayer’s comments suggest that Ford remains committed to maximizing the partnership’s final seasons together, setting up what could be a compelling farewell campaign between the manufacturer and Haas Factory Team.