{"id":297799,"date":"2025-11-21T16:01:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-21T16:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/297799\/"},"modified":"2025-11-21T16:01:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T16:01:11","slug":"ford-hit-with-second-bitter-nascar-setback-ahead-of-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/297799\/","title":{"rendered":"Ford hit with second bitter NASCAR setback ahead of 2026 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>RSS Racing has announced that it will switch to Chevrolet for the 2026 NASCAR season, ending its association with Ford engines and bodywork<\/p>\n<p>10:03 ET, 21 Nov 2025Updated 10:04 ET, 21 Nov 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Cole-Custer-drives-the-Hass-Ford-at-Arizona.jpg\" alt=\"Cole Custer drives the Hass Ford at Arizona\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Haas Racing left Ford just before RSS(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">Ford is once again facing a setback as RSS Racing, one of the most established independent teams in the O&#8217;Reilly Auto Parts Series, has decided to part ways with Ford ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">This follows the recent announcement by the Haas Factory Team about its departure, setting off a domino effect that leaves Ford with few, if any, full-time entries in the series. RSS Racing has confirmed its switch to Chevrolet for the 2026 <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/all-about\/nascar\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"NASCARLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">NASCAR<\/a> season, marking an end to its long-standing association with Ford engines and bodywork.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">The team will continue racing the No. 38 car driven by Ryan Sieg and the No. 39 car driven by Kyle Sieg, both based in <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/all-about\/north-carolina\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"North CarolinaLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">North Carolina<\/a>. Last year, the Sieg brothers finished fifteenth and twenty-fifth respectively, thanks to their aggressive driving styles.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/sport\/american-football\/travis-kelce-chiefs-fan-autograph-1316278\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"1316278\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Travis Kelce&#8217;s 10-word reason for refusing to sign autograph for young Chiefs fan<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/sport\/american-football\/nfl-referee-injury-bills-texans-1517857\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"1517857\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL referee forced to remove himself from Bills vs. Texans game after awful-looking injury<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">This season, they&#8217;re partnering with a manufacturer that has been a dominant force in the O&#8217;Reilly Series for many years. The shift involves a significant technical upgrade, as both cars will be powered by Hendrick engines next season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">Chevrolet&#8217;s engine program has emerged as one of the most potent in the sport, with Hendrick Motorsports supplying its own teams and partnered programs, while ECR Engines handles the rest of the Chevrolet lineup.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">The partnership between RSS Racing and Haas Factory Team is set to strengthen Chevrolet&#8217;s technical base.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">Haas, which recently formed a technical alliance with Jeremy Clements Racing, is also transitioning from Ford to Chevrolet to work in tandem with RSS Racing under a unified development plan.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Ryan-Sieg-speaks-with-members-of-his-racing-team.jpg\" alt=\"Ryan Sieg speaks with members of his racing team\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>RSS is making the switch from Ford to Chevy(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">Last season, the only full-time representation of Ford in the O&#8217;Reilly Series was these two teams, along with AM Racing and Joe Gase Motorsports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">However, Ford still maintains a strong presence in the Cup Series, boasting a lineup last season that included big names like <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/all-about\/joey-logano\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Joey LoganoLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Joey Logano<\/a>, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/all-about\/ryan-blaney\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Ryan BlaneyLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Ryan Blaney<\/a>, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Brad Keselowski, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, Noah Gragson, and Cody Ware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">This loss of developmental depth in the O&#8217;Reilly Series is a significant blow. The pipeline that once included talents such as Sam Mayer, Sheldon Creed, and Harrison Burton will now be funneled through Chevrolet or Toyota instead.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Ryan-Sieg-spins-his-Ford-in-the-Xfinity-Series.jpg\" alt=\"Ryan Sieg spins his Ford in the Xfinity Series\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Ryan and Kyle Siegs will be driving Chevrolets next season(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">In 2025, Ford&#8217;s O&#8217;Reilly roster concluded with Ryan Sieg ranking 15th and Kyle Sieg at 25th, supplemented by entries from Nick Leitz, Kole Raz, Tyler Tomassi, and Burton. This shift also puts pressure on Ford&#8217;s long-term development structure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">With no confirmed O&#8217;Reilly presence at this time, Ford may have to lean on its Cup teams to scout and develop talent, leaving a gap that rivals Chevrolet and Toyota could exploit. Fans were quick to react, with many questioning whether Ford can salvage any of its footprint.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/sport\/motorsport\/denny-hamlin-dad-nascar-championship-1514674\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"1514674\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denny Hamlin can&#8217;t bear to watch footage of dad from NASCAR championship race<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/sport\/motorsport\/denny-hamlin-fiancee-nascar-championship-1514662\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"1514662\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Denny Hamlin opens up on heartbreaking moment fiancee and kids were confused and in tears<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">One fan expressed surprise at the absence of a development strategy, stating, &#8220;I&#8217;m kinda shocked RFK would not field a couple cars just for reps and development of younger employees, and they already have the engine program. Idk seems like a missed opportunity.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"themirror\">Another fan highlighted the uncertainty around the Preece and RWR charter situation, commenting, &#8220;I do not really see them expanding for 2026 as long as the Preece RWR charter stuff is going on, but also, them expanding with Preece in the first place was a surprise, so we will see.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"RSS Racing has announced that it will switch to Chevrolet for the 2026 NASCAR season, ending its association&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":297800,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[446],"tags":[49,48,634,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-297799","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nascar","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-nascar","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297799","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=297799"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/297799\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/297800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=297799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=297799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=297799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}