NASCAR: 3 drivers who could sign with Stewart-Haas Racing for 2019

Cole Custer

If the rumors about Kurt Busch leaving Stewart-Haas Racing are true, the most likely driver to be his replacement would be Cole Custer. Custer, 20, is in his second season as the full-time driver of the #00 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and he has performed at a high level.

The Ladera Ranch, California native has only earned one victory over the course of his Xfinity Series career, but he has still put up solid results otherwise. Last season, he finished in fifth place in the championship standings with seven top five finishes and 19 top 10 finishes in 33 races. His average starting position was 8.6 and his average finishing position was 13.3.

Custer earned his first career Xfinity Series victory in last year’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Had he been in the Championship 4, which he very well could have been, he would have been crowned 2017 Xfinity Series champion as opposed to William Byron, who now competes full-time in the Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports.

So far this season, Custer has not yet won a race, but he has performed at an even higher level. Through the season’s first 24 races, he sits in third place in the championship standings with 10 top five finishes and 20 top 10 finishes. He has also earned his first four career pole positions. His average starting position is 6.5 and his average finishing position is 8.5.

Custer even drove in his first two Cup Series races this year behind the wheel of the #51 Rick Ware Racing Ford, and he did an impressive job given the fact that he was not driving a competitive race car. He finished in 25th place in the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, three laps off the lead, and he finished on the lead lap in the first of two races at Pocono Raceway by finishing in 26th.

If Busch does depart from Stewart-Haas Racing and the #41 Ford needs a new driver for next season, Custer would almost definitely top the list of possible replacements for him.