John Hunter Nemechek trades a Cup seat for a bigger job at Haas

gettyimages-2224808293 — SONOMA, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: John H. Nemechek, driver of the #42 Mobil 1 Toyota, walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on July 12, 2025 in Sonoma, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

When Joe Custer had the opportunity to hire John Hunter Nemechek for the Haas Factory Team, he saw the 29-year-old as more than just a talented driver to fill an empty seat in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

“John Hunter—I’ve challenged him with being our leader,” said the Hass Factory Team president. “And what does that mean? It’s more than ‘Rah, rah.’ It’s actually helping us make sure that, when we work on development on different things in the car, we directionally correct.

“Is the tire model right in the simulator? What about our affiliates? How are we communicating and helping their program? So, it takes a little bit more, and I think he’s at a point in his career—and I told him this—this experience with us can make him a better overall driver if he embraces it, and I think he is and will.”

Nemechek has been driving for LEGACY Motor Club in the NASCAR Cup Series this season but lost his ride for 2027 suddenly and unexpectedly when Wood Brothers Racing driver Josh Berry became available.

For its part, Haas Factory Team is experiencing total turnover on the O’Reilly Series side with Sheldon Creed departing for Sam Hunt Racing and Sam Mayer returning to JR Motorsports.

Nemechek will join new teammate Dean Thompson, who already has been announced as an HFT hire for next season.

Nemechek acknowledged he had discussions with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing in the wake of co-owner/driver Brad Keselowski’s announced departure at the end of the season. Keselowski’s exit leaves a Cup Series seat open under uncertain circumstances.

“We did have a few discussions over there,” Nemechek said. “It’s debatable how many races they’re going to run. At the time of the discussions, no one really knew if it was going to be part-time, full-time or what that situation was going to be.

“But for me, I wanted to go win races. I wanted to go have fun and be in contending, winning equipment every single week and know that I can show up and make a difference internally and also make a difference on the race track. We felt like this was the right fit.”