Something special is coming to the Coca-Cola 600. Cole Custer will drive the No. 41 car with a bold new look. This time, Texas A&M University is taking center stage. The car’s colors and design hold deeper meaning. A name on the windshield will carry a powerful story. It’s more than racing—it’s about honor and memory. This moment will movingly connect the past and present. Many will be watching as the story unfolds.
Key Highlights
- Cole Custer’s No. 41 race car features Texas A&M’s maroon digital camouflage design during the Coca-Cola 600.
- Captain Ronald Forrester’s name is displayed on Custer’s car as part of NASCAR’s 600 miles of Remembrance campaign.
- The tribute honors Forrester, who was missing in action for 51 years, recently brought home.
- Texas A&M’s partnership with Custer emphasizes a commitment to military personnel and shared values.
- Forrester’s family and Texas A&M students receive educational opportunities and attend the Coca-Cola 600 event.
Texas A&M Sponsorship Announcement for Coca-Cola 600
In a notable development for the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Texas A&M University has been announced as the primary sponsorship partner for Cole Custer and the No. 41 Haas Factory Team.
This partnership marks a continuation of Texas A&M’s support for the Stewart-Haas Racing team, highlighting a robust relationship between the educational institution and motorsport.
Custer’s No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will prominently display a distinctive digital camouflage design, adorned in Texas A&M’s iconic maroon and featuring the university’s logos, effectively merging the traditions of academia with NASCAR.
This sponsorship not only boosts Texas A&M’s visibility in a high-profile sporting event but also solidifies the university’s involvement in promoting motorsports.
Cole Custer’s Statement and Sponsorship Impact
Although Cole Custer is only 27 years old, his achievements in the world of NASCAR, including his recent victory in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship, have established him as a prominent figure in motorsports.
Known for his dedication and tactical skill, Custer’s recent collaboration with Texas A&M brings another layer to his professional path. In a statement, Custer expressed pride in carrying the Texas A&M branding on the No. 41 Ford Mustang, noting the productive partnership in 2024.
“I’m proud to carry the Texas A&M branding on our No. 41 Ford Mustang this season. It was a productive partnership in 2024, so we look forward to expanding the relationship and raising awareness around Texas A&M’s commitment to our country’s military personnel. The Aggie Core Values align well with our philosophy at Haas and resonate with the NASCAR fanbase.” – (custer)
- Partnership Success: The collaboration with Texas A&M in 2024 was described as productive, signaling mutual benefits and shared values.
- Commitment to Military: The partnership aims to raise awareness of Texas A&M’s dedication to military personnel, aligning with the university’s core values.
- Alignment with Haas Philosophy: The Aggie Core Values resonate with Custer’s team at Haas, fostering a strong connection with NASCAR fans nationwide.
Long-Term Partnership and Memorial Day Recognition
The commitment between Cole Custer and Texas A&M University extends beyond a single race, symbolizing a tactical alignment that promises enduring collaboration and shared values.
As Texas A&M University steps into a long-term sponsorship with Haas Factory Team, Custer’s car will carry the university’s emblem throughout the season. This partnership highlights Texas A&M’s calculated endeavor to engage with a national audience, particularly on Memorial Day Weekend, when visibility peaks.
Texas A&M’s collaboration with motorsports doesn’t stop at NASCAR. The university has also partnered with NTT IndyCar Series driver Felix Rosenqvist, who will bear the institution’s logo on his helmet. Ethan Braden, vice president of marketing and communications at Texas A&M, emphasized the alignment of values and shared objectives between the university and its motorsport partners.
“These partnerships with HFT, Cole and Felix present big, natural avenues to consistently communicate externally what Texas A&M stands for with great visibility, value and shared values. Motorsports are especially well-positioned to deliver cost-effective and efficient national reach with millions, deep fan engagement and loyalty, and a values-aligned audience for Texas A&M University. In the end, you may only see the driver in the winner’s circle, but propelling every lap is a car, a team, a community of supporters, as well as strategy, innovation, and creativity at the highest levels. That’s Texas A&M University; that’s how Texas A&M Aggies think and act, and that’s the kind of country we are working to shape.” – (Ethan Braden)
Tribute to Captain Forrester and Student Involvement
Amidst the longstanding partnership between Cole Custer and Texas A&M University, a poignant tribute emerges through NASCAR’s 600-mile of Remembrance campaign.
Captain Ronald Forrester, an Aggie and Marine aviation navigator, will be honored as his name graces the windshield of Custer’s No. 41 race car during the Coca-Cola 600. Forrester, missing in action for 51 years after his plane crash in Vietnam, was recently brought home, offering closure to his family, who will attend the event at Charlotte Motor Speedway in support of Custer’s quest for victory.
In conjunction with the tribute, the partnership extends educational benefits to Texas A&M students.
- Providing two paid summer internships at their Kannapolis, NC race shop.
- Hosting 10 students for a behind-the-scenes experience at Texas Motor Speedway.
- Enabling students to shadow engineers, enhancing their practical learning experience.
News in Brief: Cole Custer and Texas A&M Partnership
In honoring the legacy of Captain Forrester, Cole Custer’s partnership with Texas A&M during the Coca-Cola 600 exemplifies the intersection of sport and solemn remembrance. This collaboration not only emphasises the significance of Memorial Day but also highlights the enduring impact of collegiate affiliations in professional racing.
Through this tribute, Custer and Texas A&M engage the community, fostering a deeper appreciation for those who have served, and reinforcing the value of remembering fallen heroes with respect and reverence.
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