UPDATE: Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) will promote Cole Custer from its NASCAR Xfinity Series team to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020, whereupon the nine-time Xfinity Series race winner will drive the team’s No. 41 Haas Automation Ford Mustang.
Custer has a chance to add the 2019 Xfinity Series championship to his resume, as the 21-year-old driver from Ladera Ranch, California, is set to compete for the series title on Saturday at Homestead-Miami Speedway as part of the Championship 4 with fellow Xfinity Series drivers Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell and Justin Allgaier.
“I was asked last year about this time what Cole needed to do to earn his place in the NASCAR Cup Series, and I said he needed to win,” said Gene Haas, co-owner of SHR with three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. “Well, Cole has done that – a lot. He showed that he’s ready to compete at the next level and we’re giving him that opportunity.”
Custer finished second in last year’s Xfinity Series championship to Reddick, and 2019 has proven to be a breakout campaign for Custer. He came into the season with two wins – one in 2017 and another in 2018. This year alone, he has claimed seven victories, six poles, 16 top-fives, 23 top-10s and led 907 laps. Custer’s seven wins are the second-most this year, behind only Bell with eight wins. Custer’s six poles ties him with Bell for the most poles this season.
Custer, Bell and Reddick will resume their rivalry in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020, with each earning a promotion from their respective teams to NASCAR’s premier racing series.
“Cole has certainly earned his spot in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020,” Stewart added. “He’s consistently running up front, leading laps and winning races. The level of competition increases dramatically in the NASCAR Cup Series, but it’s where Cole belongs after having proven himself in the Xfinity Series.”
Custer has steadily advanced through NASCAR’s stepping-stone divisions, finding success in the NASCAR K&N Series, followed by the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. Being promoted to the NASCAR Cup Series is a natural evolution of his racing career, especially after such a strong 2019 season.
“This is the moment I’ve worked for ever since I first started racing,” said Custer, who began racing quarter midgets at age five. “I’ve learned a lot in these last three years in the Xfinity Series, and to be able to stay within Stewart-Haas Racing will make a steep learning curve a little less steep. I know the people, the culture and what’s expected of me. I’m ready for this challenge.”
— Stewart Haas Racing —
UPDATE: Stewart Haas Racing confirmed Thursday evening that Daniel Suarez would not return in 2020.
We'll always be a fan of yours, @Daniel_SuarezG. You're a class act. https://t.co/hIHqTAuab4 pic.twitter.com/c6vtOocsLa
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 15, 2019
UPDATE: In a video message posted to Twitter Thursday evening, Daniel Suarez confirmed that he will not return to Stewart-Haas next season.
A message for my fans 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/GrnRGAmpFa
— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) November 14, 2019
ORIGINAL POST: Cole Custer will be moving up to the NASCAR Cup Series at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2020, multiple sources confirmed to Motorsport.com on Thursday.
Custer, 21, will move into the No. 41 Ford next season, replacing current driver Daniel Suarez, sources said.
An official announcement of the move is expected within the week.
— Motorsport —
AND:
Source confirms Daniel Suarez won’t return to the No. 41 Cup car next season, leaving ride open for Cole Custer (confirming report by Jim Utter) … also RPM execs reiterated to me that Bubba Wallace is their driver for next season. #nascar @NASCARONFOX
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 14, 2019
Where could Suarez be heading?
Hearing if @Daniel_SuarezG is out at @StewartHaasRcng he could run an @XfinityRacing and partial Cup deal with @RCRracing #NASCAR
— Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer) November 14, 2019
There have been rumors that Suarez could replace Bubba Wallace at Richard Petty Motorsports. However,
Just got off the phone with @RPMotorsports — @BubbaWallace is their driver. PERIOD #NASCAR
— Lee Spencer (@CandiceSpencer) November 14, 2019
To see how this impacts the Cup Series in 2020, check out Jayski’s 2020 Cup Team/Driver chart.