Cole Custer, a full-time competitor in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Stewart-Haas Racing, has been tapped to compete in a three-race NASCAR Cup Series schedule for Rick Ware Racing, starting Sunday at Atlanta.
The 12-time Xfinity Series winner will get behind the wheel of the No. 51 Jacob Companies Ford Mustang in Sunday's Quaker State 400, before returning to one of the organization's full-time entries at New Hampshire and Pocono.
“It’s great to be getting back into a Cup car again,” Custer said. “I can’t thank Rick Ware Racing enough for this opportunity. RWR is building a solid program and I’m happy to help keep it growing in the right direction. It’s fun to be part of their group and hopefully, we’ll have some solid runs together.”
The 25-year-old driver has 111 prior starts in the NASCAR Cup Series, after spending the last three seasons as a full-time driver of the No. 41 for Stewart-Haas Racing, where he amassed a single victory at Kentucky in 2020.
This season, the Ladera Ranch, California native is competing full-time in the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 00 Ford Mustang, a second entry for NASCAR Cup Series powerhouse Stewart-Haas Racing.
“We have put a lot of effort into elevating our program the past two years and having Cole come race with us again is great for the team,” said Rick Ware. “He has won at every level he’s competed in and is having a strong season in the Xfinity Series this year. We’re hoping to capitalize on the momentum of Cole winning two of the last three NXS races, and we look forward to getting started together in Atlanta.”
Sunday's 400-mile contest at Atlanta will mark Custer's first start in the Cup Series since departing the series full-time at the end of last season.
The partnership between him and Rick Ware Racing isn't a new one, though, with Custer making his first three Cup Series starts in the No. 51 Ford in 2018. Custer also competed in the Xfinity Series with the team in 2021.
Image Courtesy of Craig White, Racing America
