NASCAR: Cole Custer confirmed at Stewart-Haas Racing for 2020

Stewart-Haas Racing have confirmed that Cole Custer is set to replace Daniel Suarez behind the wheel of the #41 Ford in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

After just one season with Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, Daniel Suarez is set to be replaced by Cole Custer, who has driven for the Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series team in each of the last three seasons.

Stewart-Haas Racing have now officially confirmed that the 21-year-old Ladera Ranch, California native is set to replace the 27-year-old Mexican behind the wheel of the #41 Ford ahead of the 2020 season.

This confirmation comes just one day after a report by Motorsport revealed that this was set to be the case. Hours after this report was released, Suarez himself confirmed that he would not be back for what would have been a second season with the four-car Ford team.

Here is what Custer had to say about this opportunity, according to Stewart-Haas Racing.

"“This is the moment I’ve worked for ever since I first started racing. I’ve learned a lot in these last three years in the Xfinity Series, and to be able to stay within Stewart-Haas Racing will make a steep learning curve a little less steep. I know the people, the culture and what’s expected of me. I’m ready for this challenge.”"

Here is what team co-owner Gene Haas had to say about the matter.

"“I was asked last year about this time what Cole needed to do to earn his place in the NASCAR Cup Series, and I said he needed to win. Well, Cole has done that – a lot. He showed that he’s ready to compete at the next level and we’re giving him that opportunity.”"

Here is what fellow co-owner and three-time Cup Series champion Tony Stewart had to add.

"“Cole has certainly earned his spot in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2020. He’s consistently running up front, leading laps and winning races. The level of competition increases dramatically in the NASCAR Cup Series, but it’s where Cole belongs after having proven himself in the Xfinity Series.”"

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Custer has competed in the Xfinity Series since the 2016 season when he drove for JR Motorsports as a part-time driver. He has driven full-time for Stewart-Haas Racing since the 2017 season. He earned his first victory in the 2017 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, and he finished in fifth place in the championship standings.

Last season, he qualified for the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time by securing his second career victory, a win at Texas Motor Speedway in the round of 8. He finished in second place in the championship standings with a second place finish in the season finale behind champion Tyler Reddick of JR Motorsports.

The 2019 season has been a breakout season for Custer. He again qualified for the Championship 4, but he did so with seven victories this season, more than quadrupling his career win total.

He has, in fact, already made three starts in the Cup Series. He finished in 25th, 26th and 26th place in races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Richmond Raceway behind the wheel of the #51 Ford for Rick Ware Racing in the 2018 season.

Before he begins his tenure at Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series next year, Cole Custer is set to drive for an Xfinity Series championship tomorrow afternoon at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The Championship 4 season finale, the Ford EcoBoost 300, is set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network from the track in Homestead, Florida beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. He is set to compete against Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell, JR Motorsports’ Justin Allgaier and Richard Childress Racing’s Tyler Reddick to win this title.