Ricky Stenhouse Jr.’s future in the NASCAR Cup Series is officially set in stone.
It was announced on Monday, May 11 that the driver of the No. 47 will remain with Hyak Motorsports in the coming years. Stenhouse Jr. signed a multi-year extension with the organization to remain in the No. 47 car.
The Mississippi native has driven for the organization since 2020. Formerly known as JTG Daugherty Racing, the team was rebranded as Hyak Motorsports ahead of the 2025 NASCAR season.
Stenhouse Jr. on contract extension: “I’m really thankful”
The news of Stenhouse Jr.’s extension broke on Monday morning via the team’s social media.
“The No. 47 isn’t changing anytime soon. We’re excited to announce a multi-year contract extension with Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,” the team wrote via X.
Gordon Smith, owner of Hyak Motorsports, expressed pride in having Stenhouse Jr. back behind the wheel on a multi-year agreement. In a team release, the owner detailed how the four-time Cup Series winner has contributed to the growth of the organization.
“Ricky has been a huge part of what we’re building at Hyak Motorsports, and we’re proud to continue this partnership for years to come. He brings experience, leadership, and a competitive mindset every weekend, and we believe there’s still a lot ahead for this team with Ricky in the No. 47,” Smith said.
Stenhouse Jr. expressed his appreciation for Smith and the owner’s passion for Hyak Motorsports.
“I’m really thankful to everyone at Hyak Motorsports, especially Gordon. His vision for this race team and the passion he brings to it every single day is special. A lot of people may not know Gordon that well yet, but he truly cares about motorsports, NASCAR, and this No. 47 team, and that shows in everything he does,” Stenhouse Jr. said.
The 2023 Daytona 500 winner made a statement on the team’s growth. While they might be a one-car operation, Stenhouse Jr. believes they are making positive gains in performance.
“It’s never easy being a single-car team, but the experience we’re gaining and the notebook we’re building is helping us get better and better. More than anything, this team feels like one big family. On and off the racetrack, we’re building something that has me really excited about the future of Hyak Motorsports and what we can accomplish together moving forward,” Stenhouse Jr. said.
A look at Stenhouse Jr.’s history with Hyak Motorsports
Stenhouse Jr. joined Hyak Motorsports, formerly JTG Daugherty Racing at the time, ahead of the 2020 season.
Since then, Stenhouse Jr. has won two races with the organization. Piloting the No. 47 Chevrolet, Stenhouse Jr. captured the victory in the 2023 Daytona 500, snapping a winless drought of nearly six years. The 38-year-old made the playoffs with Hyak Motorsports in 2023 courtesy of his Daytona 500 win, finishing 16th in the standings.
In 2024, Stenhouse Jr. earned his second win with the organization in the October Talladega race.
After 12 races in 2026, Stenhouse Jr. sits 27th in NASCAR Cup Series points. He has one top five and two top-10 finishes, with his best effort this season being a runner-up finish in the Daytona 500.
NASCAR: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Inks Multi-Year Extension With Hyak Motorsports