Hyak Motorsports 2026 Preview: Stenhouse Jr. Returns for Redemption
Hyak Motorsports is gearing up for a crucial run in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. If their latest season preview is anything to go by, they are done with just scraping by. After a tough debut year as Hyak in 2025, the team is betting big on consistency and smart changes to find some real speed.
Central to this plan is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. getting back behind the wheel of the No. 47 Chevrolet, with crew chief Mike Kelley right there beside him. Keeping this duo together is the main pillar of their comeback plan.
Even though 2025 really stretched the team thin, ending with a rough 30th-place finish, management sees a path forward. The goal is simple: stop fighting to survive and start becoming a genuine mid-pack threat that can shake things up in the Cup Series.
The Exclusive 2026 Preview
On January 16, Hyak Motorsports dropped its 2026 season preview, confirming Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is back in the driver’s seat of the No. 47 Chevy. Mike Kelley is staying on as crew chief, too. Keeping this partnership alive underscores the team’s strategy: leaning on existing chemistry to navigate a major rebuilding phase.
The preview didn’t hide the fact that 2025 was a struggle. The season was plagued by inconsistency, with the team often chasing speed they just couldn’t find. Still, leadership pointed to a top-five run at EchoPark Speedway early last year as proof they can compete.
That result might have been a one-off, but it showed the car has potential when things click. For 2026, the team made it clear they are focusing heavily on superspeedways, hoping to use Stenhouse’s known skill at tracks like Daytona and Talladega.
Preview or Reset Button?
This preview acted as a much-needed reset button for the organization. It was more than a standard press release. It was an honest admission of what didn’t work and a plan to fix it. The mood was realistic but hopeful. Hyak didn’t dodge the issues from their first year under the new name, but they signaled strong confidence in the groundwork laid for year two.
Stenhouse and Kelley’s Dominance
Two names are at the center of Hyak Motorsports’ hopes. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is the driving force, bringing a specific talent that makes him a serious threat on superspeedways. His experience is crucial for a team trying to compete above its pay grade. Backing him up is crew chief Mike Kelley.
His long history with Stenhouse provides the stability the team desperately needs. In a sport where communication wins races, keeping these two together is a calculated move to skip the awkward “getting to know you” phase this season.
The Importance of Releasing The Preview
To understand Hyak Motorsports’ current spot, you have to look back at early 2025. That season started with hope but quickly turned into a grind, ending with just one top-five finish to show for it. The release of the 2026 preview in mid-January is the team’s first real update on their future since the 2025 finale. It sets the scene for the Daytona 500, which will be the first real test of whether their offseason work paid off.
How Hyak’s Past Plays A Role In Future Successes
Hyak Motorsports grew out of JTG Daugherty Racing, a long-time name in the Cup Series. The rebrand was supposed to be a fresh start, but the first year as Hyak came with serious growing pains. The team had a particularly hard time on intermediate tracks, where raw speed and aero efficiency are everything. Getting competitive on those tracks is likely a huge priority internally, right alongside their superspeedway program.
The Undeniable Woes of a Tough 2025
The rough 2025 season had one bright spot: that top-five finish at EchoPark Speedway. It didn’t lead to a winning streak, but it showed what the equipment was capable of. Hyak still benefits from a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports and from Chevrolet’s support. These connections guarantee access to competitive engines and data tools they absolutely need to catch the front-runners.
Chef Boyardee Jumps On Board
Along with the season preview came some big sponsorship news: Chef Boyardee has signed on as a primary sponsor for three races in 2026, including the Daytona 500. Locking in a big-name partner for the sport’s biggest stage gives them financial security and marketing buzz.
Beyond the money, the preview itself was a statement of intent. It focused on accountability and grit. You didn’t hear wild predictions about winning championships; instead, there was a quiet confidence that keeping the core team together would work better than blowing everything up and starting over.
Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year For The Team?
The Dream Team
Keeping Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Kelley together gives Hyak a leg up starting in 2026. While other teams spend the first few weeks building chemistry between new drivers and crew chiefs, Hyak can get straight to work on setups and strategy. This stability is huge for the early superspeedway races, where trust and split-second decisions are everything.
Steady Growth
The health of mid-tier teams like Hyak is a good indicator of the Cup Series as a whole. When teams in this bracket get better, the whole field gets tighter and harder to predict. If Hyak can find speed, it adds another wildcard, especially in drafting races where Stenhouse is known for shaking things up. A stronger Hyak Motorsports makes for a deeper, more interesting grid.
What Happens Next
Now, the focus moves to final prep for the Daytona 500. The team will work on integrating the new sponsorship assets and dialing in their setups during preseason testing. The first month of the season will be the real test, showing if the winter adjustments actually made the cars faster.
Next Steps
Hyak Motorsports is heading into 2026 with a clear plan and fresh energy. The Daytona 500 is the first big hurdle, but the real exam comes in the weeks after, on tracks that test consistency and handling. Updates throughout the spring will show whether the organization’s long-term vision is working or needs to be redrawn.
FAQ
Q: What went down in the Hyak Motorsports 2026 preview?
A: The team laid out its goals, confirmed the driver/crew chief duo is staying, and admitted where they need to get better.
Q: Who is involved?
A: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., crew chief Mike Kelley, and the Hyak Motorsports leadership team.
Q: Why does this news matter?
A: Hyak is entering a crucial second year under its new name, trying to bounce back from a rough 2025.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: Getting ready for the Daytona 500, onboarding new sponsors, and trying to find speed at key tracks.
Conclusion
Hyak Motorsports is walking into 2026 with determination, stability, and a realistic view of the challenges ahead. While there is pressure to perform better, the foundation built on stable leadership and renewed focus offers a way forward. As the season plays out, Hyak’s progress will be a storyline to watch, both for their own hopes and for what it says about the changing NASCAR Cup Series landscape.
