The landscape of the NASCAR Xfinity Series is set for a dramatic reshuffle in 2027, as Haas Factory Team (HFT) faces an unprecedented exodus of its entire driver lineup. This significant development, initially reported by sportsamo.com, sees both Sam Mayer, currently piloting the No. 41, and championship leader Sheldon Creed, driving the No. 00, departing the organization at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The news sends shockwaves through the garage, particularly given Creed’s dominant performance this year, raising questions about team dynamics, driver retention, and the ever-churning nature of NASCAR’s "Silly Season."
The bombshell dropped on Saturday with Sheldon Creed’s confirmation that he will exit the No. 00 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet. This announcement comes as a considerable surprise, given Creed’s stellar 2026 campaign, where he currently leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship standings, boasting an impressive three victories for HFT. His departure marks the end of a relatively short but highly successful tenure with the team, which began at the start of the 2025 season. Creed’s next chapter will see him join Sam Hunt Racing (SHR) as the new driver of the No. 26 Toyota Supra, a multi-year deal that signifies a significant strategic move for both driver and team.
Creed’s decision to leave a championship-contending team, especially one he is currently leading to potential glory, underscores the complex interplay of business, opportunity, and long-term vision in professional motorsports. In a press conference held at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Creed offered a candid, albeit cryptic, explanation for his move. "It was not my first choice to move on, but sometimes business dictates otherwise," he stated, hinting at factors beyond pure on-track performance that influenced the decision. This often points to contractual nuances, sponsorship alignments, or a more attractive long-term proposition from another organization. For a driver of Creed’s caliber, stability and a clear path forward are paramount, and the multi-year deal with Sam Hunt Racing likely played a crucial role.
Adding another layer of intrigue to Haas Factory Team’s unexpected predicament is the earlier announcement that Sam Mayer would also be leaving the No. 41 Chevrolet to rejoin the formidable JR Motorsports outfit. Mayer’s return to JRM, a powerhouse in the Xfinity Series, is a move back to familiar territory and likely offers a well-resourced platform for championship contention. While Mayer’s departure was known, Creed’s exit compounds the challenge for HFT, leaving them without either of their primary drivers for the 2027 season. This development creates a significant void for a team that had shown flashes of brilliance and, with Creed, was demonstrating consistent front-running pace.
Haas Factory Team, which had previously announced ambitious plans to expand into a three-car operation for 2027 with the addition of Dean Thompson, now finds itself in a peculiar situation. Thompson, who currently drives for Sam Hunt Racing, will be making the move to HFT, effectively swapping seats with Creed in the broader Xfinity Series landscape. This means Haas will be bringing in a new driver for its expansion while simultaneously needing to fill the two seats vacated by its current stars. The irony of expanding while losing your top talent is not lost on industry observers, and it highlights the fluid and often unpredictable nature of team rosters in NASCAR.
The impact of Creed’s move to Sam Hunt Racing cannot be overstated for the young Toyota-backed organization. Sam Hunt, Owner and President of Sam Hunt Racing, expressed his elation in a statement, emphasizing the significance of acquiring a driver of Creed’s pedigree. "Today marks one of the most fulfilling announcements I’ve had the pleasure of making since founding SHR," Hunt declared. "Sheldon fits every category I look for in a driver that can build a scrappy race team into its future; talent, experience, personality, and most importantly – who he is as a human. He’s a racer in the purest form, a winner, and a rockstar husband, father, and friend." Hunt’s praise paints a picture of a driver who brings not just skill but also character and leadership to the team, qualities that are invaluable for a developing organization looking to ascend the ranks.
Creed’s career path has been a testament to his talent but also indicative of the often-transient nature of a driver’s journey through NASCAR’s feeder series. A former 2020 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, Creed has showcased his versatility and winning prowess across different manufacturers and teams. After his championship triumph in the Truck Series, he transitioned to the Xfinity Series, driving for Richard Childress Racing from 2022-2023, then moving to Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024, before joining Haas Factory Team at the beginning of the 2025 season. His consistent ability to adapt and perform at a high level, culminating in his championship lead for Haas in 2026, makes him a highly sought-after commodity. This move to Sam Hunt Racing, a Toyota team, also aligns him with a manufacturer that has a strong development pipeline and a history of promoting talent to the Cup Series.
For Sam Hunt Racing, securing Sheldon Creed is a monumental step forward. SHR, while not yet a consistent championship contender like JR Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing, has steadily built its program since its inception, often leveraging alliances with larger Toyota operations. Bringing in a driver with Creed’s proven winning record and championship experience instantly elevates their profile, attracts potential sponsors, and provides a benchmark for performance. His collaboration with Kris Bowen, his new crew chief, will be crucial in translating his individual success into consistent team performance and challenging for race wins and potentially even a championship. Creed himself expressed excitement about this new chapter, stating, “I couldn’t be more excited to join Sam Hunt Racing in 2027 and to chase trophies alongside Kris Bowen as my crew chief. I’ve known Sam for several years and have watched SHR grow first-hand, so it’s special to put my name above the door and to be able to also call it home.” He added, “Each year SHR continues to make strides, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to help grow the organization. Currently, I’m focused on winning a championship with Haas Factory Team and closing the season out strong but am thrilled to have my plans locked in for next year and into the future with a quality group of people.” This dual focus highlights his professionalism and dedication to his current team while eagerly anticipating his future endeavors.
Haas Factory Team, in response to Creed’s departure, issued a statement acknowledging the split. "Sheldon Creed and HFT will part ways at the end of the 2026 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. The team thanks Sheldon for the dedication he has showed throughout his time with HFT and his three wins for the organization. The No. 00 team remains focused on wins in the 2026 championship. Announcements regarding the 2027 HFT driver lineup are TBD at this time." This statement, while appreciative, underscores the immediate challenge facing HFT: finding two high-caliber drivers to fill the No. 00 and No. 41 seats, in addition to bringing Dean Thompson into the fold for their new third car. The "TBD" for the 2027 lineup signals that a frantic "Silly Season" will be underway for the organization as they scramble to secure competitive talent. Potential candidates could range from promising drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series looking for an Xfinity promotion, other Xfinity Series veterans seeking new opportunities, or even part-time Cup Series drivers looking for additional seat time.
The Xfinity Series often serves as a crucial proving ground and a highly competitive environment where careers are made and unmade. The movements of drivers like Creed and Mayer reflect the dynamic nature of this series, where talent is constantly evaluated, and opportunities arise and disappear with astonishing speed. For Haas Factory Team, the loss of a championship leader like Creed is undoubtedly a setback, but also an opportunity to re-evaluate their program and potentially inject new blood. For Sam Hunt Racing, it’s a statement of intent, signaling their ambition to become a more dominant force in the series. And for Sheldon Creed, it’s another chapter in a career defined by continuous progression and the pursuit of championships, now with a new team and a clear vision for the future. As the 2026 season progresses and "Silly Season" intensifies, all eyes will be on how these pivotal driver changes ultimately reshape the competitive landscape of the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
