For Stewart-Haas Racing, the twists and turns of this year’s Cup program have been akin to a rollercoaster ride steeped in adversity. The beacon of reliability, Kevin Harvick, who has been not just a driver but a close confidant of co-owner Tony Stewart, hung up his racing gloves with a pre-season retirement announcement. Chase Briscoe’s season was rocked by a penalty so severe in May that his playoff dreams were all but dashed. Ryan Preece has grappled with persistent struggles, mirroring the challenges faced by Aric Almirola, who is poised to bid farewell to his Cup career following the championship race. The specter of a winless Cup season loomed over the team, a shadow not cast since 2008.

Yet, amidst this turbulence, a triumph shone through as Cole Custer soared to victory in the Xfinity Series, infusing the team with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The possibility of Cole Custer returning to the Cup Series to fill Almirola’s position generated a lot of buzz. The rumbling of rumors was silenced with an official statement from his crew chief, Jonathan Toney, dispelling all uncertainty and setting the stage for Custer’s 2024 season with crystal clarity.

Cole Custer ignites optimism for the team of Tony Stewart with respect to the 2024 season

Amidst the electrifying atmosphere of the Phoenix final race, with engines thundering and drivers jostling for position on the front stretch, Tony Stewart was a portrait of concentration. Perched in the No. 00 pit box, he was the eye of the storm, arms folded, gaze intense, as the championship hung in the balance. When the final caution lap transitioned into a heart-stopping restart, Stewart’s reaction was volcanic. As Cole Custer, his Xfinity Series protégé surged and then seemingly retreated, only to fight back to the fore, Stewart was on his feet, exulting as Custer blazed across the finish line to seize the Xfinity championship. Under him, the #00 pit crew erupted into jubilation.

Stewart later watched the replay intently, soaking up the magic of the moment as Custer burned out to claim victory. Custer’s triumph wasn’t just a win; it was a declaration of his commitment to Stewart-Haas Racing’s Xfinity Series team for another roaring season in 2024.

Custer’s journey has been a testament to resilience. After rising through the ranks from 2017 to 2019, he ascended to the Cup Series, only to face setbacks that saw him return to Xfinity in 2023, making way for Ryan Preece. Despite swirling speculation about a Cup Series comeback in 2024 to replace the departing Aric Almirola, Cole Custer has set his sights on continued Xfinity conquests.

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Solidifying this stance, both Custer and his teammate, Riley Herbst, have pledged their allegiance to the Stewart-Haas Racing Xfinity roster for 2024, closing the chapter on any speculation of a seat exchange in the No. 10 Ford.

Jonathan Toney, the crew chief, also gave his seal of approval. In a conversation with Todd Gordon, Toney painted a picture of Custer’s evolution from a promising talent to a formidable leader, a transformation that promises to bolster the team’s trajectory. He said, “We’re definitely having Cole come back, and I might mention, we’re seeing this young man turn into not only a good race car driver, a great race car driver. We’ve all seen the talent there for several years, but he’s turning into such a great leader. And such a, you know, that’s going to be one of his strong qualities moving forward to see his leadership, and I think that that has helped propel this, you know, this Xfinity program.”

And why would Cole Custer dream of departure when he has a crew chief like Toney, whose steadfast support has been a beacon through tumultuous times? Custer’s post-race praise for Toney was not just words; it was a heartfelt acknowledgment of a partnership forged in the fires of competition and camaraderie, a partnership ready to charge into the next season with unstoppable momentum.

Custer extols his crew chief following a remarkable victory

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Cole Custer’s recent triumph was far from a walk in the park. The 25-year-old racer faced the daunting task of steering his team through a less-than-stellar performance streak. With Stewart-Haas Racing’s (SHR) four-car Cup Series team floundering—Kevin Harvick being the lone playoff contender—it was up to Custer and his #00 squadron to turn the tide.

Turn it, they did, and with such aplomb that it’s undeniable, that they’ve done more than merely pull SHR from the mire. Custer’s victory in Phoenix shattered the gloomy series of defeats, setting the stage for a resurgent SHR. In the glow of his triumph, Custer didn’t miss the chance to shine a light on the guiding force behind the scenes.

He lavished praise on his crew chief, Jonathan Toney, in his post-race reflections, expressing deep gratitude for the unwavering support: “I knew I loved working with JT; I knew he was the guy that could make it happen; I wouldn’t want to do with anybody else, and I can’t thank Gene Haas enough; I mean, he gave me opportunities, and you know, I just wouldn’t be here without him; I can’t thank of enough; and Ford performance, Haas automation, everybody at Stewart-Haas Racing, its awesome to bring home, back to Stewart-Haas (Racing).” 

While the allure of Cole Custer dueling with the titans of the Cup Series is undeniable, the Xfinity Series has emerged as his proving ground, his arena of excellence. Thus, fans can bide their time, electrified by the prospect of his eventual, and inevitably spectacular, return to the Cup Series.

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