Kevin Harvick holds strong opinions regarding the future of Gene Haas’ NASCAR team. The 2024 NASCAR Cup season brought about significant announcements for various teams. One particularly noteworthy decision came from Stewart Haas Racing, who announced their intention to cease all operations at the end of the season. However, this does not mean the end of their legacy in NASCAR, as they will still remain involved in the sport.
Last week, it was confirmed that SHR will transform into the Haas Factory Team. This team will consist of a single car in the Cup series, while also continuing their two-car Xfinity Series operation. Gene Haas will continue as the owner and assume the role of team president. During discussions about this transition, a former SHR driver suggested the ideal candidate for the team’s driver in 2025 and beyond.
The former driver believes that the 2023 Xfinity Series champion should be promoted back to the Cup series, giving him a second chance. Despite potential claims of nepotism due to Joe being Cole’s father, the former driver argues that Cole has proven himself in NASCAR through race wins and championships. According to the former driver, Custer is the only driver within the team’s ranks who can handle the challenges of the new team and succeed despite the negativity. They also emphasize that Custer has the necessary experience and success to deserve a seat in the Cup series.
When asked about the opportunity, Custer expressed his desire to return to the Cup series with Gene Haas’ team. Among the current drivers in the Xfinity garage, Custer is considered one of the few deserving of a Cup seat. It will be intriguing to see where he lands in 2025.