Cole Custer is set to compete in a double-duty weekend, driving for SS GreenLight Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14 and 15. This event marks the beginning of a planned five-race schedule for Custer with SS GreenLight Racing in 2026, signaling his renewed involvement in the series alongside his ongoing commitments with the Haas Factory team.
The 27-year-old, who last raced full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2024 and finished second in the standings for Stewart-Haas Racing, is no stranger to success in this division. Custer won the championship in 2023 and boasts an impressive career record with 15 wins, 21 pole positions, and over 100 top-10 finishes.
Prior history and team lineup for Custer’s return
Custer has experience driving for SS GreenLight Racing before, having raced part-time with the team in 2022. During that time, he captured the team’s first victory at Auto Club Speedway. This year, he will share driving duties of the No. 0 Chevrolet with Garrett Smithley and Alex Labbe. While details for the additional four races on his schedule have not yet been released, this weekend’s race at Las Vegas will be the kickoff event.
“HE’S BACK! 👊 Cole Custer returns to the [NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series] this weekend at [Las Vegas Motor Speedway] with SS Greenlight Racing for the first of five races in the No. 0 Chevrolet.”
— Haas Factory Team announcement on X
Cole Custer aims for breakthrough win at Las Vegas amid challenging Cup Series season
Along with his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series appearances, Custer drives the No. 41 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series, sponsored by Standard Nuclear this season. Following a 31st-place finish in last year’s Cup standings, the current season has been difficult, with Custer finishing 24th at the Daytona 500 and struggling to crack the top 20 in races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Circuit of the Americas.
Last Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, Custer’s race ended early with a 35th-place result, which further lowered his position in the early Cup points standings. Despite these setbacks, he remains hopeful as he prepares to chase his first Cup victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The California native has often thrived in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series on this track, earning several top-three finishes, including runner-up spots in the 2023 and 2024 spring events. Notably, in 2024 he secured the pole position and maintained a strong pace throughout the race to finish second. However, his success in the Xfinity-level series has yet to fully translate to the Cup level.
The 200-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race, The LiUNA! race, will start at 5:30 pm ET on Saturday, with the Cup Series event following at 4:00 pm ET on Sunday.
Upcoming races and potential impact of Custer’s return
Cole Custer’s participation in the upcoming races with SS GreenLight Racing reflects a strategic effort to regain momentum and build confidence in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series ahead of the rest of the 2026 season. His experience and past achievements with the team, combined with his continued involvement in the Cup Series, position him as a driver to watch at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. How he performs in these next events could influence his trajectory for both series, possibly reigniting his pursuit of victories and championships in the near future.
HE'S BACK! 👊
Cole Custer returns to the @NASCAROReillyAP Series this weekend at @LVMotorSpeedway with SS Greenlight Racing for the first of five races in the No. 0 Chevrolet.@TeamChevy | @Sysco @SSGLR0708 | @ColeCuster pic.twitter.com/jNZFYJwVik
— Haas Factory Team (@HaasFactoryTeam) March 9, 2026
