Kevin Harvick doubts Haas Team’s NASCAR future, raising big questions for Cole Custer and the newly formed Haas Factory Team. While Harvick believes in Custer’s talent, he isn’t sure the team is ready to compete at the highest level. A single-car operation, a new partnership with RFK Racing, and Custer’s mixed Cup Series past add to the uncertainty. Can Custer prove himself again, or will the team’s struggles hold him back?
Key Highlights
- Harvick expresses skepticism about the Haas Factory Team’s competitive readiness for the NASCAR Cup Series.
- Harvick acknowledges Cole Custer’s talent and strong work ethic despite his concerns about the team’s future.
- The single-car setup of HFT limits its data-sharing and competitive potential against multi-car teams.
- Harvick questions RFK Racing’s ability to provide effective championship support for Custer.
- Past Cup Series struggles of Custer raise doubts about his transition from Xfinity success.
Cole Custer’s Return to NASCAR Cup Series
Although Cole Custer’s return to NASCAR Cup Series has sparked interest among racing enthusiasts, it is accompanied by a set of challenges that merit careful evaluation.
After securing the 2023 Xfinity Series championship and finishing as the 2024 Xfinity regular-season runner-up, Custer has illustrated competence in the lower series. Yet, as he joins the newly formed Haas Factory Team (HFT) in 2025, questions arise regarding his previous performance in the Cup Series.
Driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang, Custer enters a landscape marked by uncertainty, given the cessation of Stewart-Haas Racing and the skeptical views of seasoned NASCAR veteran Kevin Harvick. Harvick, formerly affiliated with SHR, has voiced concerns about the new team’s ability to compete with established NASCAR teams.
Custer’s Turbulent Cup Series Career
Cole Custer’s return to the NASCAR Cup Series brings attention to his previous experiences in the sport’s top tier, where his career can best be described as a series of highs and lows.
At the outset, Stewart-Haas Racing provided Custer with an opportunity in 2020, and he quickly made an impression by winning his inaugural Cup race at Kentucky Speedway as a rookie.
However, despite the promising start, Custer encountered notable challenges, experiencing a slump that persisted through the subsequent seasons. His struggle to consistently achieve top finishes was evident, with his best points finish being 16th place.
| Year | Performance Highlights |
|---|---|
| 2020 | First Cup win at Kentucky |
| 2021 | Failed to break into top 15 |
| 2022 | Continued performance slump |
| 2023 | Demoted to Xfinity Series |
Kevin Harvick’s Concerns about Haas Factory Team
As the NASCAR season approaches, Harvick’s apprehensions regarding the Haas Factory Team’s readiness for their upcoming campaign have surfaced, particularly concerning their support for driver Cole Custer.
Harvick, a former Stewart-Haas Racing driver, expressed his doubts on his podcast, Happy Hours with Kevin Harvick. While acknowledging Custer’s talent and work ethic, Harvick questioned the team’s competitive edge.
“I mean, Cole is a great race car driver. I think Cole is underrated just because of his arrangement with Gene Haas and his dad and everything that comes with it.” – (Harvick)
He highlighted concerns about the team’s infrastructure, noting that operating with only one team may hinder their ability to match the previous performance level. Although an alliance is in place, Harvick remains skeptical about its effectiveness.
“I don’t think that they’ll have the same infrastructure that they had, only having one team… I know that they have an alliance set up, but, you know, I think it’ll be interesting to see how they perform because I don’t think it’ll be as good as what it was… If they’re in that category, I mean, nobody knows until we get the season started. It’s gonna be an uphill battle. And I don’t know that he’ll have the cars compared to his ability.” – (Harvick)
He believes that the team faces an uphill battle, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding their performance compared to Custer’s capabilities. Harvick’s comments suggest that the Haas Factory Team might struggle to provide Custer with the resources necessary to fully capitalize on his potential as the new season unfolds.
Hendrick Motorsports” width=”1200″ height=”800″ srcset=”https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports.webp 1200w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-300×200.webp 300w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-1024×683.webp 1024w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-768×512.webp 768w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-630×420.webp 630w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-150×100.webp 150w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-696×464.webp 696w, https://slicksandsticks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Harvick-Slams-Hendrick-Motorsports-1068×712.webp 1068w” sizes=”auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px” />
Challenges Faced by Haas Factory Team
The Haas Factory Team faces considerable challenges as it prepares for the upcoming NASCAR season, primarily due to its current status as a single-car operation. This configuration limits their ability to engage in extensive data-sharing, an essential aspect for enhancing performance and staying competitive against multi-car teams.
Despite retaining much of their previous equipment, the team’s partnership with RFK Racing is still in its infancy, and the impact of this collaboration remains uncertain. Furthermore, other single-car Ford teams like Rick Ware Racing and Wood Brothers Racing have struggled to match the performance of top-tier competitors, highlighting the inherent difficulties faced by such operations.
Aaron Kramer, the crew chief of the No. 41 team, likens the car to a “pseudo-fourth RFK car,” yet RFK Racing itself is addressing the challenges of the Next Gen era. This situation emphasizes the need for tactical innovation and adaptation to remain viable in NASCAR.
Harvick’s Doubts About RFK Racing
While Harvick’s insights into RFK Racing and Custer’s prospects provide a crucial perspective, they highlight genuine concerns about both entities’ future competitiveness in NASCAR.
Harvick’s evaluation of RFK Racing, particularly regarding Brad Keselowski’s performance, brings into question the team’s ability to consistently vie for race victories. Despite acknowledging some progress, Harvick remains skeptical about the team’s championship potential, citing Keselowski’s inconsistency as a crucial issue.
“I don’t think we ever see another championship out of Keselowski. I think he’s done a great job at RFK… Can Brad Keselowski get back to that consistency that he had at Penske? And can he do that as a driver and owner? I haven’t seen it yet. I think that they have the speed on occasion to go out and win some races, but it comes in small pockets. And it’s not been where it needs to be to be back in championship mode.” – (Harvick)
This skepticism extends to Cole Custer, whose previous Cup Series results have been disappointing compared to his Xfinity success.
News in Brief: Kevin Harvick Doubts Haas Team’s NASCAR Future
Kevin Harvick’s concerns about the future of the Haas team in NASCAR stem from the numerous challenges the team currently faces, including performance inconsistencies and competitive demands.
While Harvick acknowledges Cole Custer’s undeniable talent, he remains skeptical about the team’s ability to provide the necessary support for Custer to succeed in the Cup Series. The uncertainty surrounding the Haas team and RFK Racing raises questions about the general stability and future prospects for Custer’s racing career.
ALSO READ: Kevin Harvick Slams Hendrick Motorsports’ Major Blunder That Gave Joey Logano the 2024 Title
