NASCAR: 5 drivers who could replace Kevin Harvick in 2024
By Asher Fair
With Kevin Harvick retiring after the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season, who will replace him next year? Here are five possibilities.
2014 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick announced before the 2023 season started that he would be retiring after it ended, ending a legendary 23-year career and 10-year run with Stewart-Haas Racing behind the wheel of the No. 4 car.
As a result, Stewart-Haas Racing will need to figure out who will replace him behind the wheel of the No. 4 Ford in 2024, when he makes the move to the Fox Sports broadcast booth.
Here are five possibilities.
Possible Kevin Harvick replacements – No. 1 – Cole Custer
Cole Custer lost his NASCAR Cup Series ride with Stewart-Haas Racing after the 2022 season, with Ryan Preece replacing him behind the wheel of the No. 41 Ford.
Custer struggled throughout his three-year stint in the Cup Series after being promoted from the Xfinity Series in 2020, aside from winning at Kentucky Speedway. In 91 starts after that win, he never finished higher than seventh place.
He was sent back down to the Xfinity Series in an attempt to rejuvenate his career, given the fact that he had success in the series from 2017 to 2019, recording three top five finishes in the championship standings, including two runner-up finishes, as well as nine total victories, including seven in 2019 alone.
Custer’s start to the 2023 season wasn’t all that smooth, but he has since rediscovered his confidence and winning ability. Will that, coupled with his familiarity with the organization, be enough for Stewart-Haas Racing to bring him back to the Cup Series?