Cole Matthew Custer Bio
Cole Matthew Custer, born January 23, 1998, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 41 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Haas Factory Team. Custer is the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year.
Early Life and Background
Cole Custer was born in Ladera Ranch, California. He is the son of Joe Custer, who serves as the team president of Haas Factory Team and chief operating officer of Haas F1 Team. Custer began racing quarter midgets at age four, showing early promise in motorsports. He attended Ladera Ranch Middle School and Tesoro High School, balancing education with his racing ambitions.
His early exposure to racing came through family involvement and his own competitive drive. In 2011, he won the USAC National Focus Young Guns Championship. The following year, he transitioned to late model racing, winning ten races and earning Rookie of the Year honors, setting the foundation for his professional career.
Path to NASCAR
Custer made his debut in the K&N Pro Series East in 2013 at Bristol Motor Speedway with Ken Schrader Racing. At Iowa Speedway that year, he won from the pole, leading every lap and becoming the youngest winner in K&N Pro Series history at age fifteen. He also secured a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and finished eighth in the series standings.
In 2014, he won the Pro Series West opener at Phoenix International Raceway. That same year, he began competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with Haas Racing Development, setting a track record pole at Gateway Motorsports Park and becoming the youngest pole winner in NASCAR history. He won the UNOH 175 at New Hampshire, becoming the youngest winner in a NASCAR national touring series at sixteen years old.
Cole Matthew Custer Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Custer’s early career included competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starting in 2014. He made his debut at Martinsville Speedway and quickly made history by setting the youngest pole winner record. His first Truck Series win came at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2014. In 2015, driving for JR Motorsports, he won at Gateway Motorsports Park, showcasing his competitive edge.
In 2016, Custer ran full-time in the Truck Series with JR Motorsports, competing for Rookie of the Year. He also made his Xfinity Series debut that year, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports and achieving a career-best fourth-place finish at Charlotte.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2017–2019)
In 2017, Custer joined Stewart–Haas Racing to drive the No. 00 Ford Mustang full-time in the Xfinity Series. Despite a challenging start, he rebounded with top-ten finishes and led the most laps in several races. He earned his first Xfinity Series win at Homestead–Miami Speedway, leading most laps and winning both stages.
He continued to excel in 2018 and 2019, securing multiple wins including at Fontana, Richmond, Pocono, Chicago, Kentucky, and Dover. He finished second in the 2019 Xfinity Series points standings, narrowly missing the championship to Tyler Reddick. His aggressive racing style and consistency made him a top contender in the series.
First NASCAR Cup Series Stint (2020–2022)
Cole Custer made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in 2018 with Rick Ware Racing. In 2020, he replaced Daniel Suárez in the No. 41 Ford for Stewart–Haas Racing. That year, he won his first Cup race at the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, becoming the first rookie winner since 2016 and earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. He made the playoffs but was eliminated in the third round, finishing sixteenth in points.
In 2021, Custer’s Cup Series performance was inconsistent, resulting in missing the playoffs. He returned to the Xfinity Series part-time in 2021 and 2022, winning at Auto Club Speedway in 2022 for SS-Green Light Racing in collaboration with Stewart–Haas Racing.
Back to Xfinity and Return to Cup (2023–Present)
In 2023, Custer returned full-time to the Xfinity Series with Stewart–Haas Racing, driving the No. 00 car. He won multiple races including Portland and a rain-shortened Chicago street race. He captured the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, marking a career milestone. In 2024, he continued strong performance with wins at Pocono and Bristol and secured the regular season championship.
In July 2024, Custer announced a return to the Cup Series for 2025 with the No. 41 Haas Factory Team. He began the 2025 season with a 21st place finish at the Daytona 500 and has shown flashes of potential despite some struggles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cole Custer is known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, excelling on intermediate tracks and road courses. His ability to lead laps and manage race strategy has been evident throughout his career. Partnerships with experienced crew chiefs have helped refine his race craft and consistency.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key milestones include his 2020 Cup Series win at Kentucky Speedway, making him the first rookie winner in several years, and his 2023 Xfinity Series championship. His record-setting youngest wins in K&N Pro Series and Truck Series highlight his early talent. Dramatic moments include his playoff appearances and on-track battles with top competitors.
Cole Matthew Custer Career Wins
Cole Custer has accumulated multiple wins across NASCAR’s national series, including the Xfinity Series, Camping World Truck Series, and the Cup Series. His victories demonstrate his versatility and competitiveness at various levels of stock car racing.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Highlights
Custer has secured over ten Xfinity Series wins, with his first coming in 2017 at Homestead–Miami Speedway. His most recent wins include races in 2023 and 2024, culminating in the 2023 Xfinity Series championship. He has consistently been a playoff contender and a championship finalist.
Other Wins & Performances
In the Camping World Truck Series, Custer made history as the youngest winner with his 2014 victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He has also earned pole positions and multiple top finishes in the Truck Series, showcasing his early career dominance.
Cole Matthew Custer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cole Custer comes from a racing family, with his father Joe Custer serving as the president of Haas Factory Team and chief operating officer of Haas F1 Team. This connection has provided Cole with valuable support and opportunities within professional motorsports.
Personal Life
Cole Custer is married to Kari Custer. The couple welcomed a son in 2024. His family life remains private but supportive of his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Cole Custer returned to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time with the No. 41 Haas Factory Team. He started the season with a 21st place finish at the Daytona 500. While the season has presented challenges, including limited top-ten finishes, Custer continues to develop his performance and aims to build momentum with his team. The season outlook remains focused on growth and competitive consistency.
