Kevin Harvick has strong opinions about the future of Gene Haas’ NASCAR team. The 2024 NASCAR Cup season brought significant announcements for several teams. One particularly notable decision came from Stewart Haas Racing, which announced its intention to end 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 continuing its operation of two cars in the Xfinity series. Gene Haas will continue as 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 possible claims of nepotism due to Joe being Cole’s father, the former driver argues that Cole has proven his worth in NASCAR through wins and championships. According to the former driver, Custer is the only driver within the team 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 place 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 on the Xfinity grid, Custer is considered one of the few deserving of a place in the Cup series. It will be intriguing to see where he fits in 2025.
