Joe Custer, president of the Haas Factory Team, was honest about the team’s rough 2025 NASCAR season with Ford.
The team is 33rd in the Cup Series standings, one-top finishes, two top-10 finishes, with 363 points per NASCAR.com.
It was clear Haas needed a change. Haas Factory Team will leave Ford and go back to Chevrolet in 2026. They are reuniting with Hendrick Motorsports for technical support according to Matt Weaver of Motorsport.
Custer Calls for Consistency and Performance
Custer emphasized the need for progress, noting Gene Haas Factory Team’s demand for results.
“Well, for us, the results speak for themselves on the Cup side,” he said. “This is a performance-based, results-driven sport, and we need to be better. Candidly, we expected to assess where we were by a certain point this year. We found reasons for optimism, but we also needed a reality check in other areas.”
He highlighted that Ford had delivered on its promises.
“I do want to say that Ford did literally everything they said they would. It’s just a matter of what we found when we evaluated our strengths and weaknesses. We wanted a degree of synergy and alignment with what we have not done as well.”
Data and Simulation: Key to Success
Custer stressed that data and simulation tools are essential.
“Where we needed help is data. We need simulation tools to have a predictable car at the track. Ideally, it unloads the way we expect it to based on what we developed in simulation.”
The move back to Chevrolet is designed to bring that predictability and consistency. Historically, Haas achieved multiple wins and championships with Chevy from 2002 to 2016. By tapping into Hendrick’s technical resources, Haas aims to return to its winning ways.
Strong Relationships and Shared Heritage
Custer also praised the long-standing relationship between Haas Factory Team and Hendrick.
“The times have changed, but what hasn’t changed is the relationship,” he said. “It’s a healthy relationship. Rick has always appreciated good manufacturing, and our heritage is in CNC machinery and metal cutting.”
He added, “Dive deeper, we have tools at our shop that have value and engineering tools to augment what they’re already doing. There’s a friendship and mutual trust that makes this just make a lot of sense for us.”
Haas Factory Team Confidence in Winning Again
Custer acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic.
“I think it can be done,” he said. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think we could. Has it been done yet? Certainly not with this car, but that’s also the allure to me. What drives me is the belief that we can win races and compete for a championship.”
He also hinted at flexibility with partner teams. “We’re exploring our options with our partner teams. They might want to stay with Ford, or they might want to explore other options. Whatever decisions they make, we’ll do what we can to help them.”
Haas Factory Team is counting on its history, strong engineering, and talented drivers to get back to winning. Fans will be watching closely as Haas Factory Team aims to transform lessons from a tough 2025 into wins and, ultimately, a championship run.
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