How former NASCAR Rookie of the Year, Xfinity champ worked his way back to Cup Series

INDIANAPOLIS — Another addition to NASCAR’s Cup Series will come into play beginning with the start of the 2025 season come February.

During a press conference Saturday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway , Cole Custer announced his return to NASCAR’s top division 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.

NEXT GEN'S FIRST BRICKYARD: How NASCAR drivers are preparing for Brickyard 400's return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway

BRICKYARD WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Do they still have the Brickyard 400? Here's the weekend schedule in Indianapolis

LOOKING FOR INDY TWO-FOR: Michael McDowell won on Indy road course last year. Can he do same on Brickyard oval?

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 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, in a statement.

“On his way to winning the Xfinity Series championship last year, Cole 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 race car.”

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.

Custer has been around Haas and his teams and business from a very early age. His father, Joe Custer, has been associated since the organization was formed in 2002.

“I’ve grown up with Haas Automation, and having their name on my fire suit is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in,” Cole said. “I’m driven to win for Gene and everyone at Haas Automation because they’ve been such a big part of my career.

“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 remain on the 2025 schedule.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: How former NASCAR Rookie of the Year, Xfinity champ worked his way back to Cup Series