Hettinger Racing will area a full-time NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Components Collection entry in 2026 for the primary time in program historical past, the staff introduced Tuesday.
Owned by longtime late mannequin competitor Chris Hettinger, the staff will enter the No. 5 Ford Mustang starting with the season-opening race at Daytona Worldwide Speedway on Feb. 14 (5 p.m. ET, The CW, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The staff will obtain technical assist from Ford Racing, whereas Roush Yates will provide the staff‘s engines.
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The announcement comes after Haas Manufacturing facility Staff and RSS Racing, beforehand two of Ford‘s flagship groups in NASCAR‘s No. 2 collection, switched to Chevrolet for 2026.
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“That is about placing our race staff in the proper place on the proper time,” Hettinger mentioned in a staff launch. “The NASCAR O‘Reilly Auto Components Collection has unbelievable momentum. It options nice racing and the collection will get important publicity due to 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.”
Hailing from Dryden, Michigan, Hettinger grew up racing late fashions and open-wheel midgets earlier than transitioning into an possession position in recent times. Beforehand, Hettinger additionally fielded entries within the CARS Tour, ARCA Menards Collection and the Craftsman Truck Collection. His daughter, Katie, additionally competed within the late mannequin ranks.
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Whereas the staff has not but introduced a driver, Hettinger inked veteran Joe Williams Jr. to function crew chief for the No. 5 entry. Williams led Alpha Prime Racing‘s No. 4 Chevrolet with Parker Retzlaff in 2025 and enters his seventh season within the collection. He earned his lone collection victory with Cole Custer in 2022.
“[Williams] brings a ton of expertise, a ton of information and we‘re wanting ahead to how he can develop this program going ahead,” Hettinger mentioned. “Our aim for this 12 months is to proceed to construct our program because the 12 months goes on, end races, run all of the laps and be ready for each race that we go to and put ourselves in place to win.
“I truly really feel actually, actually good about our program proper now. Joe Williams and our guys have labored actually, actually onerous. We mainly have vehicles prepared for the primary 4 occasions … We really feel like we‘re means forward of the sport proper now.”
Ford automotive our bodies are displayed on the Hettinger Racing store
Earlier than buying chassis for the staff‘s fleet, in accordance with the discharge, Hettinger bought proprietor‘s factors from the No. 70 Cope Household Racing staff to ensure an entry at Daytona.
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“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 progress,” mentioned Doug Yates, president and CEO, Roush Yates Engines. “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.”
Along with a driver, partnerships can be introduced at a later date.
