Haas Factory Team has put out a statement in the wake of the news that driver Sheldon Creed will not return to the organization after the 2026 season. Creed, driver of the No. 00 Chevrolet, is the current O’Reilly Auto Parts Series points leader and has three wins this season.
However, the 29-year-old has signed a multi-year agreement to drive the No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota, announced on Saturday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It will be the fourth different team Creed has driven for in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
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Haas Factory Team Statement on Creed’s Departure
Earlier this year, it was announced that Sam Mayer is leaving Haas Factory Team at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Mayer will make a return to JR Motorsports after spending two seasons driving the No. 41 for Haas Factory Team.
With the announcement of Creed’s exit, Haas Factory Team is now searching for two drivers to fill their O’Reilly Auto Parts Series cars in 2027. In a statement released by the team regarding the matter, Haas Factory Team is expected to continue racing in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
The announcement of new drivers will be made at a later time.
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“Sheldon Creed and HFT will part ways at the end of the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts season. The team thanks Sheldon for the dedication he has showed throughout his time with HFT and his 3 wins for the organization. The No. 00 team remains focused on wins and the 2026 championship. Announcements regarding the 2027 HFT driver lineup are TBO at this time.”
In addition to their O’Reilly Series program, Haas Factory Team competes full-time in the Cup Series with Cole Custer behind the wheel of the No. 41 Chevrolet. Custer is a former NOAPS champion, winning the title in 2023 driving the No. 00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford.
Haas Factory Team was once Stewart-Haas Racing, a team co-owned by Gene Haas and three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. The team opened in 2009 and ceased operations at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
Haas Factory Team was the rebranded SHR team with Custer behind the wheel of the No. 41 machine beginning in 2025. The team switched from Ford to Chevrolet prior to the 2026 season.
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Sheldon Creed Signs Multi-Year Agreement With Sam Hunt Racing
Amid his recent hot streak in the O’Reilly Series, Sheldon Creed has made his future plans clear. Creed will take over the No. 26 Sam Hunt Racing Toyota beginning in 2027 as part of a multi-year deal.
Creed has three wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, which all have come this season. The driver of the No. 00 has won two of the last three races with victories at Darlington and Bristol.
With six races remaining in the season, Creed holds an 11-point lead over Justin Allgaier in the battle for the championship.
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