AM Racing Ceases Operations, Ford Out of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series?

What’s Happening?

It has been several weeks since AM Racing was last seen on a NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entry list. In fact the last time was Rockingham, a race in which they were scheduled to run their No. 25 car with Nick Sanchez prior to withdrawing from the event. They haven’t graced the garage area since. As a result, for a number of weeks Ford had no entry on the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series entry list for the first time since October of 1991. This begged a couple of questions. Largely, what does the future of AM Racing and Nick Sanchez look like? And, is Ford on the verge of disappearing from the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series altogether?

Today, Matt Weaver broke the news that AM Racing has formally informed their employees that they are officially ceasing operations. Effectively, all team employees are released from their contractual obligations for the team.

AM Racing has notified employees that it has formally ceased operations and released everyone from their duties.

VP/comp Matthew Lucas told employees that he made efforts to stabilize AMR but the inability to continue normal business activity eventually resulted in its closure.

— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) May 15, 2026

Fast Notes:

• Per Matt Weaver’s report, AM Racing’s Vice President and Competition Director, Matthew Lucas, told his employees that he tried to stabilize the day-to-day operations of the team. However, he stated that he was unable to resume usual business operations, resulting in the closure.
• Weaver also reported that many checks written to employees from the most recent pay period have bounced. Former team management is said to be working with employees toward a solution, though specifics are being kept under wraps.
• With the closure of AM Racing, it could mean the end of Ford in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, at least for the time being. With Haas Factory Team’s switch back to Chevrolet at the start of the 2026 season, AM Racing was slated to be the only Ford team in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. With the OEM’s seeming lack of interest in the series, could that spell trouble in the short terms for NASCAR’s second-tier series?
• This weekend at Dover, RSS Racing surprised everyone when their No. 38 entry showed up as a Ford. The team has run Chevrolets up to this point in the season and not much is currently known about the team’s new partnership with Ford, or even if there is one.

Also Read:

Is Ford BACK in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series?

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