Haas Factory Team has added Dean Thompson to its NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series full-time driver lineup for the 2027 season, as the organization expands to three cars. The announcement was made ahead of the Iowa race on Saturday, confirming Thompson’s move from Sam Hunt Racing’s Toyota program to Haas’ Chevrolet operation.
The organization will expand to three full-time cars in 2027, with Thompson confirmed as one of the drivers. While the move gives Thompson a new opportunity to compete for wins and a championship, fans were divided over whether the move represents a step forward for the 24-year-old.
Thanks for the submission!
Some immediately viewed the change as a downgrade, particularly given Haas’ 2026 struggles. One fan wrote:
“Talk about a downgrade, Haas even trying anymore”
Another fan focused on Dean Thompson’s manufacturer switch, writing:
“Switched from Ford to Chevy. Your Dead To Me!”
The reaction was even more extreme from another fan:
“I’d rather you shoot me in the leg”
One fan suggested that sponsorship, rather than performance, may have played a major role in the move:
“How does… Oh sh*t, I guess he brings money”
Some were less certain about what the move will mean for Dean Thompson. One fan questioned whether Haas can provide the competitive equipment he needs:
“That is the most unexpected thing I’ve seen this silly season. Good for him for sure, but knowing the struggle this team so far… yeah, but it is what it is. I’m gotta presume that the number would be either the 98 or maybe the 14, who knows.”
There was also support for the announcement, as an X user commented:
“That’s awesome!”
The final Haas lineup remains one of the unanswered questions heading into the 2027 season. Haas Factory Team currently fields two full-time O’Reilly entries, with Sheldon Creed driving the No. 00 Chevrolet and Sam Mayer behind the No. 41 Chevrolet. Creed has already secured a place in the 12-driver Chase after winning at Atlanta, while Mayer entered Iowa with a 29-point cushion over the cutline.
Whether Creed and Mayer will return alongside Dean Thompson has not been confirmed, with Haas Factory team president Joe Custer saying in Iowa that the other two seats are still to be determined. What is clear is that Haas will have three full-time O’Reilly entries next year, with Thompson in one of them.
What Dean Thompson’s Haas Factory Team deal means for 2027
Dean Thompson will bring established commercial backing to Haas Factory Team, with Thompson Pipe Group and MCM Transportation set to serve as his primary partners throughout the 2027 season. The move also gives Haas another full-time Chevrolet entry as the organization continues to expand following its split from Stewart-Haas Racing in 2025.
The exact car number, crew chief and other details surrounding Thompson’s 2027 program will be announced later. Haas Factory Team president Joe Custer pointed to Thompson’s development as the reason for bringing him into the organization.
“We’re excited to welcome Dean to Haas Factory Team. He has shown strong progression throughout his time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and we believe he will compete at the highest level. Along with our growing affiliate program, the addition of a third full-time entry continues to strengthen our organization,” he said in team statement.
Thompson, meanwhile, sees the move as an opportunity to take the next step in his career and compete for bigger results.
“I’m thrilled to join Haas Factory Team as the next step in my NASCAR journey. I am looking forward to competing for wins and a championship with support from MCM Transportation and Thompson Pipe Group.”
For Dean Thompson, the move represents another step in a NASCAR career that has included two full-time campaigns in both the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Truck Series. He has made 57 O’Reilly starts, recording one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, with his career-best fifth-place finish coming at Charlotte in May 2025.
Edited by Anurup Chakraborty