After two seasons in NASCAR exile, Cole Custer is back in the Cup Series, but not without a storm of skepticism surrounding his return. As the sole driver for the newly-formed Haas Factory Team (HFT)—an operation built from the remnants of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR)—Custer is stepping into one of the biggest unknowns of the 2025 NASCAR season.
While Custer’s Xfinity Series dominance proves he has the raw talent, his previous struggles at the Cup level and the uncertainties surrounding HFT have sparked concerns from one of NASCAR’s most respected voices—Kevin Harvick.
“I mean, Cole is a great race car driver… but I don’t think that they’ll have the same infrastructure that they had.”
With a single-car operation, limited resources, and a high-stakes partnership with RFK Racing, is Haas Factory Team doomed before the season even starts? Or is this Custer’s redemption arc waiting to unfold?
From NASCAR’s Rising Star to the Xfinity Redemption Tour
Custer’s first stint in the Cup Series was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.
- In 2020, SHR gave him a full-time Cup seat, and he made an immediate impact, shocking the field with a breakout win at Kentucky Speedway.
- But after that, the magic faded. Over the next two seasons (2021-2022), Custer failed to finish inside the top 15 in points, struggled to stay competitive, and was ultimately demoted back to Xfinity.
Many believed that drop back to NASCAR’s second-tier series was the beginning of the end for his Cup career. But Custer proved his doubters wrong:
✅ 2023 Xfinity Series Champion
✅ 2024 Xfinity Regular-Season Runner-Up
✅ Multiple Wins & Strong Consistency
Now, the Cup Series calls again, but the question remains: Is this Cole Custer 2.0, or will his Cup struggles return?
Harvick Raises the Red Flag: “It’s an Uphill Battle”
One person who isn’t sold on Custer’s Cup Series comeback? Kevin Harvick.
The former SHR driver, now an analyst and podcast host, believes HFT’s lack of depth will be a massive disadvantage.
“I don’t think that they’ll have the same infrastructure that they had, only having one team… It’s gonna be an uphill battle.”
Harvick’s concerns are legitimate. HFT, as a single-car operation, faces an immediate disadvantage compared to multi-car powerhouses like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske.
🛑 No in-house teammates to share data
🛑 Limited development resources
🛑 Questionable car performance under a new operation
While HFT has secured a technical alliance with RFK Racing, Harvick isn’t convinced that’s enough to make them competitive:
“If they’re in that category, I mean, nobody knows until we get the season started. I don’t know that he’ll have the cars compared to his ability.”
In other words? Custer could be talented enough to win—but will his car even give him the chance?
RFK Racing’s Role: A Lifeline or a Liability?
One of the biggest question marks is HFT’s alliance with RFK Racing.
Team owner Gene Haas has structured the No. 41 Ford Mustang as a “pseudo-fourth RFK car”, meaning Aaron Kramer, a former RFK employee, will serve as crew chief.
But is RFK really the right team to lean on?
While RFK Racing has improved, it’s still not on the level of top-tier Ford teams like Team Penske. Even Harvick doubts their ability to be a serious championship contender:
“Let’s just say I’m not convinced RFK is a competitive race team.”
If RFK itself is still finding its footing in the Next Gen era, can it really provide HFT the tools needed to succeed? Or will Custer find himself stuck in mid-pack battles with little room to improve?
Is Cole Custer Ready for a Different Cup Series?
When Custer last raced full-time in the Cup Series, it was in the Gen 6 era. NASCAR has since transitioned to the Next Gen car, a move that has changed driving styles, aerodynamics, and team strategies.
And that could be another hurdle for Custer.
- His past Cup struggles were in a completely different car.
- The Next Gen car has evened the playing field, but experience still matters.
- He’s coming back after two years—will he adjust fast enough?
Some drivers (like Ross Chastain and Chris Buescher) have thrived in the Next Gen era, while others (like Brad Keselowski’s early struggles at RFK) have taken time to adapt.
For Custer, the learning curve will be steep, and he’ll need to prove immediately that he belongs.
Final Verdict: A Make-or-Break Season for Custer
🚨 Will Custer defy the odds and prove Harvick wrong?
🚨 Or is Haas Factory Team just another single-car team doomed to struggle?
The 2025 season will be the defining chapter in Cole Custer’s career. If he thrives with HFT, he can finally cement himself as a legitimate Cup Series driver. If he struggles? His time at NASCAR’s top level could be short-lived.
One thing is certain—the pressure is on.
And with Daytona right around the corner, the proving ground is set.