NASCAR: 3 drivers who could be replaced for 2023
By Asher Fair
NASCAR drivers who could be replaced for 2023: No. 2 – Cole Custer
Stewart-Haas Racing had originally been mentioned as one of Kyle Busch’s most likely options in the event that he does not return for a 16th season behind the wheel of the #18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing next year.
The obvious landing spot for the two-time champion here had been the #10 Ford, with Aric Almirola having announced before the 2022 season began that it would be his last. But Almirola has since pulled a “Tom Brady” and announced that he will be returning to the team on a multi-year contract extension.
But while Busch won’t be joining the team, there still could be change.
That’s where Cole Custer comes in. It’s no secret that Stewart-Haas Racing have struggled since toward the end of the 2020 season. Yet since then, all three of Custer’s teammates have found victory lane. Custer has not recorded a single top eight finish.
A few months ago, it may have seemed safe to say that his future with the team is safe, considering his father Joe Custer is a team executive. But his seat could still be warm, especially since Stewart-Haas Racing have been known to keep secrets.
The team indicated that they plan to move forward with their four current drivers, but they stopped shy of formally confirming a fourth season behind the wheel of the #41 Ford for Custer. In this day and age of silly season chaos, lack of confirmation effectively renders that intention meaningless.
Custer may very well be a better fit in the Xfinity Series anyway. He had an exceptional 2019 season before his Cup Series promotion, winning seven races; current Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst is still seeking his first win three seasons in (two with the team).
Custer also dropped down to the Xfinity Series to compete for SS-Green Light Racing at Auto Club Speedway back in February. What did he do? He delivered the team their first win.
By no means is he a bad driver. But in terms of performance vs. car capability, nobody has been less stellar than Custer since he got his first win at Kentucky Speedway more than two years ago.
Let’s also add that Tony Stewart hasn’t been shy about taking big swings in the past.