Ford may have lost a major player when Haas Factory Team announced its move to Chevrolet, but the Blue Oval is not walking into the 2026 NASCAR season empty handed. Enter Hettinger Racing, a new organization ready to fly the Ford flag in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly Xfinity Series) starting next season.
This is not just another small team trying to make a name for itself. Hettinger Racing is arriving with manufacturer backing, a proven crew chief, and a guaranteed spot in the season opener. That kind of foundation is exactly what Ford needs right now.
Second generation racer and team owner Chris Hettinger will field the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the 2026 campaign. His operation has secured technical support from Ford Racing and will receive horsepower from Roush Yates Engines, the same engine supplier trusted by Ford’s top Cup Series teams.
Hettinger also made a smart early move by acquiring the owner points from the No. 70 team of Cope Family Racing. That acquisition locks in his entry for the Feb. 14 season opening United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway, a crucial detail that removes any doubt about his participation in the biggest race of the early calendar.
Running a competitive NASCAR team is about more than just having the right parts and pieces. You need the right people calling the shots, and Hettinger Racing appears to have that covered as well.
Veteran crew chief Joe Williams Jr. will oversee all competition aspects for the new operation. Williams comes over from Alpha Prime Racing, where he guided driver Parker Retzlaff to a career best second place finish at Rockingham Speedway during the 2025 season. That kind of experience and recent success bodes well for Hettinger Racing’s debut year.
As for who will be behind the wheel of the No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, that remains to be seen. The team plans to announce its driver and partnership details before the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series open test scheduled for Jan. 27 and 28 at Rockingham.
Chris Hettinger is no stranger to racing success. The Dryden, Michigan native started his career as a driver, winning races in Late Models and open wheel Midgets before transitioning into team ownership. He has built a reputation in the grassroots ranks by fielding multiple entries on the zMAX CARS Tour, a Late Model and Pro Late Model touring series owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Justin Marks, Jeff Burton, and Kevin Harvick.
That background in short track racing gives Hettinger a different perspective than many team owners entering the national series. He understands what it takes to build a program from the ground up and has surrounded himself with people who share that same hunger.
Ford clearly sees value in the partnership. Losing the Haas Factory Team stung, but landing a motivated new organization with manufacturer support, a championship caliber engine program, and experienced leadership could turn out to be a win in the long run.
All eyes will be on Hettinger Racing when the green flag drops at Daytona in February. Whether this new team can compete right away or needs time to find its footing remains the big question heading into the 2026 season.
