Joe Custer made it official on Friday morning. Dean Thompson will be behind the wheel as Haas Factory Team prepares to add a third entry to its O’Reilly Auto Parts lineup. Thompson will take over Haas Factory Team’s new third entry for the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season as the organization expands its presence on the grid.
The announcement marks a pivotal turning point for a team that has spent the last two seasons rebuilding its foundation, strengthening its engineering core, and preparing for deeper collaboration across all departments. The news comes at a time when Haas Factory Team has shown measurable progress. The organization has improved its average finish by 2.8 positions compared to last year, raised its qualifying average from 15.7 to 12.4, and increased its laps‑led total by 22 percent through the first half of 2026.
Pit‑stop execution has also taken a step forward, with the team trimming its average four‑tire stop by 0.34 seconds, a gain that has helped keep its cars inside the top 15 more consistently. Even so, Custer emphasized that expanding to three cars is not simply about numbers. It is about finding the right driver to elevate the entire organization. For Thompson, the opportunity to start with a team on the national stage signals a significant advancement in his career. He arrives with 68 O’Reilly starts, 14 top‑15 finishes, and a career-best sixth at Kansas.
His average finish has shown steady improvement each season, dropping from 23.1 in 2024 to 18.7 in 2025, and now sits at 17.4 through the first half of 2026. The organization has put together nine top‑ten runs this season, recorded a combined driver rating of 91.3, and raised its average running position from 17.8 to 13.6 compared to last year. His ability to stay composed when tire falloff becomes severe has become one of his defining strengths.
Custer noted that Thompson’s progression was a major factor in the decision. The team spent the last year evaluating potential candidates for the third seat, studying how each driver performs in areas such as tire management, restart execution, and adaptability across different track types. Thompson ranked inside the top ten in restart efficiency among mid‑tier drivers, gaining positions on 61 percent of restarts inside the final 40 laps. Engineers pointed to his communication strength, noting the clarity he brings to debriefs, and the way he identifies balance shifts with precise detail.
Yet the move is not solely about Thompson’s numbers. It reflects how Haas Factory Team views the next phase of its development. The organization has invested heavily in simulation tools, added two engineers with Cup‑level aerodynamics experience, and expanded its shop footprint by 18,000 square feet to support the third entry. The team’s long‑term plan includes building a deeper driver pipeline and strengthening its ability to test multiple setups during practice sessions.
Thompson understands that joining Haas brings more than a new opportunity. It also comes with added responsibility. He noted that the team’s expectations are clear: contribute to the development of the new car, work closely with the engineering group, and help shape the direction of the program as it expands. Even so, Thompson made it clear that the opportunity carries real meaning for him, saying he is eager to join a team focused on moving forward rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
Haas Factory Team’s current lineup already shows strength. The organization has produced nine top‑ten runs this season, posted a combined driver rating of 91.3, and raised its average running position from 17.8 to 13.6 compared to last year. The team has also reduced mechanical DNFs by 42 percent, a sign of improved reliability and preparation.
The expansion also brings logistical changes. Haas Factory Team is also preparing for the expansion by increasing its personnel by 14 percent, adding more shop space for chassis development and expanding its simulation program to support the third entry. Custer explained that the team has already started preparing for the transition by amplifying its mechanical engineering, data analytics, and pit‑crew development. The goal is to give all three cars the same level of attention and resources while avoiding the problems that can come with expanding too quickly.
Even so, the most compelling part of the announcement is what it means for the competitive landscape. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has had teams expand in recent years, and those moves often reshape the balance of power. Multi‑car organizations typically benefit from shared data, unified development paths, and the ability to test setups across different driving styles. With Thompson joining the lineup, Haas Factory Team positions itself as a deeper, more versatile organization capable of contending across a wider range of tracks.
Thompson’s arrival also strengthens the team’s presence at tracks where discipline and tire management matter most. His average finish on tracks shorter than one mile has climbed from 22.4 to 16.9, and his long‑run pace at intermediate venues has continued to trend upward. On the track, Thompson has demonstrated the ability to stay patient during long green‑flag stretches, manage tire wear, and maintain focus during late‑race restarts. Those traits align with the team’s broader strategy for 2027.
As the new season approaches, the collaboration between Thompson and Haas Factory Team will become one of the most closely watched developments. The team’s expansion marks a new chapter, and the addition of a driver known for discipline, growth, and steady improvement gives the organization a strong foundation for what lies ahead.
The announcement signals more than a schedule change. It reflects ambition, preparation, and a belief that the future of Haas Factory Team will be shaped by drivers who understand how to build success one race at a time. And for Thompson, it marks the beginning of a new opportunity one that carries both expectation and promise as the team moves toward its next era.
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