In the high-octane world of NASCAR, the past is never too far behind. The whispers of yesteryears echo within the vacant garages, casting shadows of doubt and uncertainty. The legacy of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), the Tony Stewart co-owned program, is a testament to this. The team’s departure in 2024 left a void, a lingering specter of unresolved issues and challenges for those stepping into its large shoes.
Rising from the ashes of SHR’s legacy is the rebranded Xfinity outfit, Haas Factory Team (HFT). At the helm of this phoenix-like rebirth is the undeniably talented Sam Mayer. The racing prodigy, who cut his teeth at JR Motorsports (JRM), now shoulders the responsibility of a fresh start. The challenge? To course-correct a troubled past and carve a new path for HFT, away from the ghosts of SHR’s turbulent history.
SHR’s departure was not simply a case of a name switch. Despite inheriting the riches of its predecessor, HFT had to grapple with the shortcomings that blighted the latter years of SHR. Despite its dominance and championship triumphs in the 2000s and 2010s, SHR was plagued by inconsistent performance, unpredictable sponsorship, and disappointing results.
The new team brought in Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer, both from different manufacturers – Toyota and Chevrolet respectively, leading to speculation about the time they would need to adapt to driving a Ford. However, for Mayer, this transition was not a hurdle but an opportunity to prove his mettle.
Leaving the comfort of JRM and Chevrolet, Mayer took the reins of the No. 41 Ford Mustang. Despite the risks, the 21-year-old racer embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. His early performance with HFT has been a testament to his resilience and adaptability, bagging three top-5 finishes in his first five races.
Mayer’s commendable performance, including a runner-up finish at Daytona, is a beacon of hope for HFT’s journey away from SHR’s ghosts. However, the road is not without its hurdles. Despite his speed and early successes, consistency remains an issue, reminiscent of SHR’s faltering final years.
Joe Custer, the guiding force behind HFT, acknowledged these concerns but expressed unwavering faith in Mayer’s potential. He stated, “Sam is one of the preeminent raw talents. We need to instill more confidence in him, assuring him of a strong team backing him, ready to deliver.”
The journey of 2025 has been a rollercoaster ride for HFT, with the team experiencing highs and lows. Despite a promising start, a 36th place finish for Mayer at Atlanta following a race-ending wreck was a grim reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. However, proving their resilience, the team bounced back with another podium finish at Circuit of The Americas, followed by a 7th-place finish at Phoenix and a top-5 at Vegas.
The path to success for HFT is not merely about improving results but also about defining their identity separate from SHR. To this end, they have shifted their focus from the Cup Series to Xfinity, investing in young talents like Mayer and Sheldon Creed.
Mayer, thriving in the new environment, expressed his confidence, stating, “I can just walk into the shop and be whoever I want to be. It’s a great feeling to walk in there and feel like I’m the [expletive].” This fierce competitive spirit mirrors HFT’s vision of building a team focused on victory, not just survival.
Despite the promising start, the specters of SHR still linger. Sheldon Creed’s struggle after a 3rd place finish at Daytona underlines the gap HFT needs to bridge to ensure competitiveness. However, the team’s commitment to winning remains unwavering, as reaffirmed by HFT President Joe Custer.
While the seeds of a stronger foundation have been planted, the true test lies in the consistency of performance throughout the lengthy NASCAR season. Mayer’s move to Ford and HFT is a step towards his ultimate goal – the NASCAR Cup Series. He said, “The Xfinity Series is a really great place to learn and grow. Cup is my ultimate goal, and to really push myself, I needed to get out of my comfort zone, challenge myself, and hone my race skills.”
The journey of HFT is a testament to the indomitable spirit of NASCAR – the ability to rise from the ashes, to learn from the past, and to race towards a brighter future. As we look forward to the rest of 2025, the question remains – can HFT successfully navigate away from the shadows of SHR and etch their own legacy in the annals of NASCAR history? Only time will tell.
