Cole Custer, current Xfinity Series driver for Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), will return to the Cup Series in 2025 behind the wheel of the No. 41 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The No. 41 Mustang will be fielded as part of the Haas Factory Team, and will retain its technical alliance with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK) along with additional support from Ford Performance to make sure Custer stays competitive on the Cup Series circuit.
Custer has three prior Cup Series seasons under his belt. He raced in NASCAR’s highest echelon from 2020 through 2022, winning one race at Kentucky and racking up one more top five finish in 108 starts during his run. Custer then returned to the Xfinity Series in 2023 to drive the No. 00 Mustang fielded by SHR, winning the 2023 championship, but the organization announced that it is ceasing operations after 2024, opening the door for him to return to the Cup Series in 2025.
“To get an opportunity back in Cup was the biggest goal,” said Custer in a statement. “To have this opportunity to get to drive for Haas Factory Team next year is huge for me, and I think we can do some really special things with the resources we have as a team. We’re ready to get work and get some great people, and I think we’ll be able to compete with the best.”
Custer also indicated that Haas Factory Team examined other opportunities before agreeing to a technical alliance with RFK.
“Along with Ford as a partner, we’re lacking no resource going into next year,” he said.
Haas Factory Team will also maintain its Xfinity Series program, which was started by SHR several years ago. Joe Custer, Cole Custer’s father and Haas Factory Team president, stated that the organization made an offer to Riley Herbst, driver of the No. 98 Mustang for SHR in the Xfinity Series, but no agreement has been reached.
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Comment
Hmm, interesting.