Ford Motor Company will not field an entry for the 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Series race at Dover Motor Speedway, marking the first time in years that the automaker is absent from the event.
The official entry list released by NASCAR omitted both Hettinger Racing and AM Racing, the two teams that had previously carried the Blue Oval's banner.
Hettinger Racing, which had been the sole Ford‑backed outfit since AM Racing pulled Nick Sanchez's No. 25 car earlier this spring, missed the last two NASCAR weekends, leaving the Blue Oval with zero entries.
AM Racing had entered the season with Sanchez as its full‑time driver but withdrew before the Dover weekend, ending a brief stint that had kept Ford's presence alive.
The development has sparked speculation about the future of Ford's involvement in the series, with insiders noting that the company's return is far from guaranteed.
A season without the Blue Oval
The absence of a Ford entry at Dover underscores a broader shift in the series' manufacturer representation, as Chevrolet and Toyota continue to dominate the grid. While the O'Reilly Series has historically served as a proving ground for new talent, the lack of a Ford presence signals a strategic pivot for the automaker, which has been evaluating its motorsport investments amid a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
Fans hoping for a comeback will have to wait for official announcements, as both Hettinger Racing and AM Racing have yet to reveal concrete plans for a return. In the meantime, the conversation around Ford's role in American stock car racing remains open, with industry analysts watching closely for any signs of a renewed partnership.