SPEEDWAY, Ind. (July 20, 2024) – In a press conference Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Cole Custer announced his return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2025 with Haas Factory Team.
The 26-year-old racer from Ladera Ranch, California, will drive the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse with sponsorship from Haas Automation and HaasTooling.com. It was also announced that Haas Factory Team will have a technical alliance with RFK Racing and receive additional support from Ford Performance.
Custer is the reigning NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and current Xfinity Series point leader who secured his spot in the NASCAR Playoffs with a victory last Saturday at Pocono (Pa.) Raceway. His move to Haas Factory Team in 2025 brings Custer back to the NASCAR Cup Series, where he was the 2020 Rookie of the Year and a race winner in just his 20th career start – July 12, 2020 at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta.
“Cole has represented Haas Automation for more than half his life and he’s delivered results every step of the way. He just wins, and he’s proven that repeatedly,” said Gene Haas, founder and president of Haas Automation and the owner of Haas Factory Team.
“On his way to winning the Xfinity Series championship last year, Cole really carved out an identity for himself, on the track and off. He brings home trophies and he races people clean. He’s earned a lot of respect from his peers, and he’s a genuine personality whose hard work resonates with our customers.
“The NASCAR Cup Series is tough, but Cole is coming back wiser and tougher. We’re very happy to have him in our colors and in our racecar.”
Custer first won for Haas Automation nearly 13 years ago when he earned the 2011 USAC National Focus Young Guns Championship. In the 22 victories he has earned since across the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series and Cup Series, all have come while representing Haas Automation.
“I’ve grown up with Haas Automation, and having their name on my firesuit is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in. I’m driven to win for Gene and everyone at Haas Automation because they’ve been such a big part of my career,” Custer said.
“Haas Factory Team will essentially be a new race team next year, and it’s going to take all of us to build it into an organization that can go out and win races. I want this opportunity and I’m ready for this challenge.”
Before Custer sets his sights on 2025, he will continue his title defense in the Xfinity Series. Fourteen races still remain this season, with Saturday afternoon’s 62-lap race around Indianapolis’ 2.5-mile rectangular oval next up for Custer and his Xfinity Series counterparts. Live coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. EDT on USA and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
