Hettinger Racing will compete full-time within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence in 2026, partnering with Ford and Roush Yates Engines for its first full-national marketing campaign. The Michigan-based group will discipline the No. 5 Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, starting with the season opener at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.
Ford’s footprint within the O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence had decreased considerably after the departures of Haas Manufacturing unit Staff and RSS Racing, each of which moved to Chevrolet for 2026. Hettinger Racing has grow to be the second Ford-aligned group, after Sigma Efficiency, to change in latest weeks.
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The deal ensures manufacturing facility assist from Ford Racing and engines from Roush Yates, a significant step for a group that competed primarily on the regional degree. Hettinger introduced the transfer on X:
“We’ll compete fulltime within the #NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence in 2026 with the No. 5 Ford Mustang. Technical assist will come from @FordRacing. @RoushYates will provide engines. Joe Williams Jr. is the crew chief. Keep tuned for driver plans.”
Joe Williams Jr. has been signed because the competitors director for the No. 5 entry. He brings latest collection expertise, having led Alpha Prime Racing’s No. 4 Chevrolet in 2025, the place the group recorded three top-10 finishes. His solely collection win got here in 2022 with Cole Custer.
Roush Yates Engines, the first builder of Ford engines throughout the NASCAR Cup Sequence and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence, will energy Hettinger Racing’s vehicles. The group additionally helps Ford Efficiency efforts in IMSA competitors, and its management expressed confidence in Hettinger’s long-term strategy.
“I’ve been impressed by what Chris Hettinger has already constructed, and Roush Yates Engines is proud to be part of Hettinger Racing’s future development,” mentioned Doug Yates, President and CEO of Roush Yates Engines (by way of NASCAR). “Chris is a racer and an excellent businessman who’s taking a wise and methodical strategy to 2026. All of us at Roush Yates Engines are dedicated to him and his imaginative and prescient for Hettinger Racing.”
Whereas 2026 will probably be Hettinger’s first full O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence season, they’ve restricted NASCAR expertise. In 2024, the group entered two Truck Sequence races with Brett Moffitt. This previous season, Hettinger fielded the No. 4 truck at Daytona with Mason Maggio, ending fifteenth within the season opener.
For its Daytona plans in 2026, the group acquired proprietor factors from the No. 70 Cope Household Racing entry, which completed thirty first within the proprietor standings final season. Whereas these factors don’t assure a beginning spot, they supply a margin of safety because the group has to work via qualifying for the occasion.
Hettinger Racing’s Truck Sequence roots form 2026 O’Reilly Sequence push
Chris Hettinger, who hails from Dryden, Michigan, grew up racing late fashions and midgets earlier than transitioning into group possession. His program has competed extensively in regional late mannequin racing, together with the zMAX CARS Tour and the ARCA Menards Sequence, earlier than its gradual growth to the nationwide ranks.
Hettinger mentioned that the timing, collection development, and producer backing made the transfer doable.
“That is about placing our race group in the proper place on the proper time,” Hettinger mentioned (by way of NASCAR). “The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence has unimaginable momentum. It options nice racing and the collection will get important publicity because of protection from The CW. Combining that platform with the assist of Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines offers us the chance to develop our program into one which competes at a nationwide degree.”
Hettinger Racing has not but introduced its driver lineup and sponsors for 2026. It’s anticipated to be revealed earlier than the NOAPS open check at Rockingham Speedway on January 27-28.
Edited by Hitesh Nigam
