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. He is the son of Joe Custer, the team president of HFT. He is the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
Early Life and Background
Born in Ladera Ranch, California, Cole Custer developed an interest in racing at a young age. He began racing quarter midgets at the age of four, showing early talent in the sport. Custer attended Ladera Ranch Middle School and Tesoro High School, where he balanced his education with his budding racing career.
He comes from a racing family, with his father Joe Custer serving as the team president of Haas Factory Team and chief operating officer of Haas F1 Team. This family connection to racing provided Cole with opportunities and insights from a young age, though he has made his mark through his own skill and determination on the track.
Path to NASCAR
Custer’s racing journey accelerated in 2011 when he won the USAC National Focus Young Guns Championship. The following year, he transitioned to late models, where he earned ten race wins and Rookie of the Year honors. This success set the stage for his move to NASCAR’s developmental series.
In 2013, Custer made his NASCAR debut in the K&N Pro Series East at Bristol Motor Speedway. His breakout moment came at Iowa Speedway where he won the pole, led every lap and won the race, becoming the youngest winner in K&N Pro Series history at age 15. He followed this with another pole and win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, establishing himself as a prodigious talent in NASCAR’s development system.
Cole Matthew Custer Career
Early Career (2014-2016)
Custer began his NASCAR national touring series career in the Camping World Truck Series in 2014 with Haas Racing Development. He made his debut at Martinsville Speedway and quickly showed speed by setting a track record and becoming the youngest pole winner in NASCAR history at Gateway Motorsports Park. At New Hampshire, he won his first Truck Series race, becoming the youngest winner in NASCAR’s national touring series history at 16 years, seven months and 28 days.
In 2015, Custer moved to JR Motorsports for ten races and added another win at Gateway. By 2016, he was competing full-time in the Truck Series for Rookie of the Year honors, though his season was marked by an incident with John Hunter Nemechek at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park that resulted in a physical altercation following the race.
Xfinity Series Breakthrough (2017-2022)
Custer made his Xfinity Series debut in 2016 and announced his full-time move to the series in 2017 with Stewart-Haas Racing. He made an immediate impact, winning his first race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2017. His 2019 season was particularly successful with wins at Fontana, Richmond, Pocono, Chicago, Kentucky, and Dover. He finished second in the standings that year after a runner-up result to Tyler Reddick at Homestead.
After a brief return to the Xfinity Series in 2021, Custer returned full-time in 2023, driving the No. 00 for Stewart-Haas. He won at Portland and Chicago (where he led every lap) before claiming his first Xfinity Series championship at Phoenix in 2023. In 2024, he won the regular season championship and earned three race wins before making the Championship 4.
Haas Factory Team Era (2025-Present)
On July 20, 2024, Custer announced his return to the Cup Series in 2025 with the No. 41 of Haas Factory Team, a reorganization of Stewart-Haas Racing. He started the 2025 season with a 21st place finish at the Daytona 500. Throughout the season, Custer has shown flashes of speed with top-10 finishes at Mexico (eighth) and the summer Daytona race (fourth), though his performance has been inconsistent as he adapts to the Cup Series.
The transition to Haas Factory Team represents a new chapter for Custer, who has the advantage of working with his father as team president. The team, sponsored by Haas Automation, provides him with a familiar environment despite the higher level of competition in the Cup Series.
Driving Style and Strengths
Custer is known for his aggressive driving style and strong short-track performance. He excels at adapting to changing track conditions and has demonstrated excellent race craft in restart situations. His partnership with crew chiefs has been instrumental in developing his car setup skills, particularly in making strategic adjustments during races.
Notable Races and Milestones
Custer has several signature moments in his career, including his first Cup Series win at Kentucky in 2020 where he passed three veterans on the final lap. In Xfinity competition, his complete domination of the 2023 Chicago street race, leading every lap, showcased his ability to control a race from start to finish. His championship victory at Phoenix in 2023 cemented his status as one of the series’ premier drivers.
Cole Matthew Custer Career Wins
Cole Custer has established himself as a winner across NASCAR’s national touring series. His victory at Kentucky in 2020 made him the 33rd driver to win in all three NASCAR national touring series, and his championship in 2023 solidified his reputation as a championship-caliber driver.
Xfinity Series Highlights
Custer has accumulated ten Xfinity Series wins with notable performances including his first win at Homestead-Miami in 2017. His most significant achievement came in 2023 when he won the series championship at Phoenix. In 2024, he added the regular season championship to his resume and won races at Pocono and Bristol.
Other Wins & Performances
In the Truck Series, Custer won four times, with his first coming at age 16 to become the series’ youngest winner. He also earned Rookie of the Year honors in both the Truck Series (2016) and Cup Series (2020), demonstrating his ability to adapt and succeed at different levels of competition.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Xfinity Series | 10 | 70+ | 15 |
| NASCAR Cup Series | 1 | 15+ | 2 |
| NASCAR Camping World Truck Series | 4 | 20+ | 5 |
Cole Matthew Custer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cole Custer comes from a racing family with his father Joe Custer serving as the team president of Haas Factory Team and chief operating officer of Haas F1 Team. This family connection has provided Cole with unique opportunities in racing, though he has established his own career through talent and performance.
Haas Automation, owned by team co-owner Gene Haas, sponsors Cole’s racing efforts, creating a family-like atmosphere within the organization. This connection has been both a professional advantage and a personal aspect of his racing career.
Personal Life
Cole Custer is married to Kari Custer. In July 2024, Kari gave birth to their son, marking a new chapter in the driver’s personal life. The couple maintains a relatively private personal life outside of racing, with Cole occasionally sharing updates on social media.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Cole Custer’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time with Haas Factory Team. He began the year with a 21st place finish at the Daytona 500 and has shown flashes of speed throughout the season. His best performances came with eighth-place finish at Mexico and fourth place at the summer Daytona race.
Custer has been adapting to the demands of Cup Series competition while developing his partnership with the Haas Factory Team. The team, a reorganization of Stewart-Haas Racing, provides him with a familiar environment despite the increased competition level. As the season progresses, Custer is working to improve consistency and capitalize on his opportunities for stronger results.