Ford will not be on the grid for the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Series event at Dover Motor Speedway, a development that emerged after the series released its entry list and found no Ford-affiliated entry.
The absence follows the withdrawal of both Hettinger Racing and AM Racing, the two teams that had been carrying the Blue Oval's banner in the series. Hettinger Racing, which had been the sole Ford entry after AM Racing pulled Nick Sanchez's No. 25 car earlier in the season, missed the most recent NASCAR weekends, leaving the manufacturer without a single car on the track.
What this means for Ford
The automaker's future in the series remains uncertain. While Ford has historically partnered with Chevrolet and Toyota in various racing programs, its current footprint in the O'Reilly Series is effectively nil, and no official timeline has been provided for a return.
Nick Sanchez, who had been slated to drive for AM Racing earlier in the year, is now left without a ride in the O'Reilly Series, underscoring the precariousness of the current lineup. Fans and industry observers alike are watching closely, hoping that the Blue Oval will re‑engage with the sport soon, but for now the spotlight is on the competing manufacturers that continue to fill the void.