{"id":256785,"date":"2026-08-08T19:56:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/08\/downgrade-fans-react-to-dean-thompsons-multi-year-haas-factory-team-oreilly-deal\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:56:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:56:54","slug":"downgrade-fans-react-to-dean-thompsons-multi-year-haas-factory-team-oreilly-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/08\/downgrade-fans-react-to-dean-thompsons-multi-year-haas-factory-team-oreilly-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDowngrade\u201d: Fans react to Dean Thompson\u2019s multi-year Haas Factory Team O\u2019Reilly deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"5202160\" data-slug-id=\"2819696\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img data-lazy=\"\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Haas Factory Team has added Dean Thompson to its NASCAR O\u2019Reilly 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&#8217;s move from Sam Hunt Racing&#8217;s Toyota program to Haas&#8217; Chevrolet operation.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"template__newsletter-inline-banner-form-combo-widget\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<p><img id=\"subscribe-img\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>Some immediately viewed the change as a downgrade, particularly given Haas&#8217; 2026 struggles. One fan wrote:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Talk about a downgrade, Haas even trying anymore&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"sportskeeda-embed\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"profile-card\">\n<p><span><span>Talk about a downgrade, Haas even trying anymore.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Another fan focused on Dean Thompson&#8217;s manufacturer switch, writing:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Switched from Ford to Chevy. Your Dead To Me!&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"sportskeeda-embed\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"profile-card\">\n<p><span><span>Switched from Ford to Chevy. You&#8217;re Dead to Me!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The reaction was even more extreme from another fan:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;I&#8217;d rather you shoot me in the leg&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"sportskeeda-embed\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"profile-card\">\n<p><span><span>I\u2019d rather you shoot me in the leg<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One fan suggested that sponsorship, rather than performance, may have played a major role in the move:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;How does&#8230; Oh sh*t, I guess he brings money&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"sportskeeda-embed\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"profile-card\">\n<p><span><span>How does&#8230; oh shit, I guess he brings money.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Some were less certain about what the move will mean for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/news-i-don-t-regret-all-dean-thompson-looks-back-nascar-journey-far\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Dean Thompson<\/a>. One fan questioned whether Haas can provide the competitive equipment he needs:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;That is the most unexpected thing I&#8217;ve seen this silly season. Good for him for sure, but knowing the struggle this team so far&#8230; yeah, but it is what it is. I&#8217;m gotta presume that the number would be either the 98 or maybe the 14, who knows.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"sportskeeda-embed\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/twitter-embed\">\n<div class=\"profile-card\">\n<p><span><span>That is the most unexpected thing I&#8217;ve seen this silly season. Good for him for sure, but knowing the struggle this team so far&#8230; yeah, but it is what it is. I&#8217;m gotta presume that the number would be either the 98 or maybe the 14, who knows.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>There was also support for the announcement, as an X user commented:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;That&#8217;s awesome!&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/news-haas-factory-team-makes-major-2027-signing-third-car-takes-shape-o-reilly-series-he-will-compete-highest-level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">The final Haas lineup<\/a> remains one of the unanswered questions heading into the 2027 season. Haas Factory Team currently fields two full-time O\u2019Reilly 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019Reilly entries next year, with Thompson in one of them.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2>What Dean Thompson&#8217;s Haas Factory Team deal means for 2027<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><\/noscript><img class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1351\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Dean Thompson - NASCAR O&amp;#039;Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Indianapolis. Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/08\/7d870-17862089438961-1920.jpg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201351%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Dean Thompson &#8211; NASCAR O&#8217;Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Indianapolis. Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/news-sam-mayer-admits-shocked-haas-factory-team-s-breakup-ford\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">split from Stewart-Haas Racing in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The exact car number, crew chief and other details surrounding Thompson&#8217;s 2027 program will be announced later. Haas Factory Team president <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/cole-custer-family\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Joe Custer<\/a> pointed to Thompson&#8217;s development as the reason for bringing him into the organization.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;We&#8217;re excited to welcome Dean to Haas Factory Team. He has shown strong progression throughout his time in the O&#8217;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,&#8221; he said in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.haasfactoryteam.com\/news\/2026\/august\/08\/hft-adds-dean-thompson-expands-to-three-full-time-entries-for-2027-nascar-o-reilly-auto-parts-series-season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">team statement<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Thompson, meanwhile, sees the move as an opportunity to take the next step in his career and compete for bigger results.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;I&#8217;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.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>For Dean Thompson, the move represents another step in a NASCAR career that has included two full-time campaigns in both the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/go\/nascar-xfinity-series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series<\/a> and Truck Series. He has made 57 O\u2019Reilly starts, recording one top-five and 10 top-10 finishes, with his career-best fifth-place finish coming at Charlotte in May 2025.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img style=\"background: none;\" data-lazy=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img style=\"background: none;\" data-lazy=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Anurup Chakraborty<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/news-downgrade-fans-react-dean-thompson-s-multi-year-haas-factory-team-o-reilly-deal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Haas Factory Team has added Dean Thompson to its NASCAR O\u2019Reilly 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&#8217;s move from Sam Hunt Racing&#8217;s Toyota program to Haas&#8217; Chevrolet operation. The organization will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":256786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6806],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-256785","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gossip"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256785","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256785"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256785\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/256786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256785"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256785"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256785"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}