Ford’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series future takes a hit as two NASCAR teams ally with Chevrolet

It hasn’t even been a month since the 2025 season wrapped up, and Ford’s existence in the NASCAR O’ Reilly Auto Parts Series is already a hot topic around the garage area. Five Ford Mustangs took part in the championship race at Phoenix. However, according to on3.com, there seems to be just one Ford team, and that too hasn’t been confirmed for the 2026 season.

With both Haas Factory Team and RSS Racing joining the Chevy camp, AM Racing remains the only team that still fields Mustangs in the NASCAR O’ Reilly Auto Parts Series, previously known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series. All this happens as Ford Performance rebrands to Ford Racing and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series expands to four manufacturers.

The newest OEM to join the NASCAR Truck Series roster in 2026 is RAM, with Kaulig Racing as its anchor team. As per the latest news, the Welcome, North Carolina-based team will field up to five RAM trucks during its 2026 campaign, with support from the Stellantis brand.

Addressing the same during a limited media availability, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer John Probst said,

“We are excited to welcome RAM back to the Truck Series, starting in 2026. I know this is something that we’ve been talking about for a long time, and it’s something we don’t get to do very often. I think the last time we did this was over 20 years ago when Toyota entered our sport. So this is something that is a big moment for our entire sport and our existing competitors, potential new competitors, our OEMs.”

2025 ARCA Menards Series champion Brenden “Butterbean” Queen has been confirmed as the first RAM NASCAR Truck driver. He made two starts for the team last season in its No. 11 truck, with his best finish being a P9 at Kansas Speedway. In total, the speedster owns four starts at the Truck level, highlighted by a P4 performance in his 2024 debut at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

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Xfinity team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. ends a 29-year-old NASCAR streak

For the first time since his NASCAR Xfinity Series (then-Busch Series) debut in 1996, Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not return for a single NASCAR national series race in 2025. Even during his full-time Cup career, the NASCAR Hall of Famer competed regularly in the Xfinity Series, skipping only the 2000 season.

Even after his retirement, Dale Jr. took part in at least one race each year with JR Motorsports, which he owns. Since his 2024 start at Bristol, the two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion hasn’t run a single race in the iconic No. 88 entry.

“I don't have a requirement to run next year, so I may just not do it,” Dale Jr. said in a statement back in 2024. “And I will miss it terribly, regret that I didn't race and probably in 2026 find me somewhere that I can go compete in the Xfinity Series again.”

All eyes are now on the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Scheduled for February 14, the 120-lap event will be televised on CW starting from 5 pm ET, with live radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.