The Haas Factory Team is officially here, and with it comes a new era of uncertainty and opportunity in NASCAR. After Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) shut its doors, Gene Haas is pressing forward alone, building a Cup Series program from the ashes of one of NASCAR’s once-dominant organizations. But can Cole Custer carry the banner forward? And, more intriguingly, will this new team forge a deeper connection with Haas’ Formula 1 operations?
🏎️ Custer’s Vision: NASCAR Meets F1?
Speaking ahead of the Daytona 500 Duels, Custer hinted that a closer collaboration between the NASCAR and F1 Haas teams could be in the works.
🗣️ Cole Custer on Haas F1 & NASCAR Crossovers:
“From time to time. We’re trying to have more crossovers now with it being the Haas Factory Team and Haas F1. Obviously, it’s really tough because they’re in Europe and we’re in the US base. But yeah, I think they want to try and bring them together a little bit.”
Gene Haas has owned an F1 team since 2016, but with SHR disbanded, could we finally see a true NASCAR-F1 crossover?
🔹 In 2023, Jenson Button (2009 F1 champ) and Kimi Raikkonen (2007 F1 champ) tested their mettle in NASCAR, with mixed results.
🔹 Could Haas F1 drivers like Esteban Ocon or Oliver Bearman get behind the wheel of a stock car?
🔹 Could Custer or other NASCAR stars test an F1 machine?
Custer doesn’t know if a formal crossover is planned, but he’s 100% on board with the idea:
“I think it would be really cool. I don’t know if there are any plans to or anything right now. But I think a lot of the F1 guys who have been coming over to NASCAR has been really awesome.”
Haas Factory Team’s Cup Series Outlook: Can Custer Deliver?
With SHR gone, Custer is now the sole face of the newly formed Haas Factory Team. His mission? Rebuild, compete, and prove that this team is more than just SHR’s leftovers.
🔹 Xfinity Series Pedigree: Custer is no slouch—he’s got 15 career Xfinity wins and was the 2023 regular-season champion.
🔹 Cup Redemption Arc: His first Cup stint with SHR didn’t work out, but this is his shot at redemption in the No. 41 Ford.
🔹 Technical Alliance with RFK Racing: The team is aligning with Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing, giving it access to stronger resources and data.
Custer is hungry to prove himself, spending the offseason preparing for the next step. He’s fired up:
“Now we actually get to go to the track and talk about race cars and how to be the best that we can be.”
💨 His debut at the Clash? A solid 12th-place finish at Bowman Gray. A small step, but a promising one.
Will Haas Factory Team Thrive or Struggle?
Can Cole Custer make this team competitive, or is it a long road ahead?
🔹 Optimistic Take: With strong RFK support, Custer can turn this team into a mid-pack contender and lay the foundation for a long-term project.
🔹 Skeptical Take: SHR struggled in its final years. Without Stewart’s leadership and elite driver talent, will this just be another struggling backmarker?
And the big wildcard: Will Haas F1 and NASCAR finally join forces in a meaningful way?
