Cole Custer’s day came to a sudden end after a major incident during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The Cole Custer Michigan NASCAR Cup Series wreck occurred when the Haas Factory Team driver was caught in a chain-reaction crash that left his No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse too damaged to continue.
How the Multi-Car Wreck Unfolded
The trouble started when Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Ford made contact with Custer’s car, sending him out of control. The resulting chaos collected Daniel Suarez and Chase Briscoe, who spun as a result, and Alex Bowman, who sustained a direct hit into the wall. Suarez and Briscoe managed to return to action, but both Bowman and Custer had to exit the race early due to the damage sustained.
Explaining the moment of impact, Custer told reporters:
“Yeah. I mean, once I got hit, you’re just hanging onto it, and we’re so close. You just hit the guy next to you. But, I still haven’t seen a replay of it, I don’t exactly know what all transpired to get us into that situation. But it definitely seemed like we all just kind of ran out of room.”
—Cole Custer, Driver
Custer’s remarks highlighted how quickly things escalated and how little chance drivers had to avoid further contact. He described his disappointment with the situation:
“It’s really disappointing just from a standpoint of we wanna be on the up end of things with our team right now,”
—Cole Custer, Driver
Attempting to keep progress alive for Haas Factory Team, Custer stressed the long-term impact of incidents like this one:
“We wanna be moving on in the right direction during the summertime, and I feel like we are bringing better cars to the racetrack and getting more competitive. But, you know, getting wrecked on days like these definitely sets that back.”
—Cole Custer, Driver
The Challenge of Racing in Tight Packs
With a crowded field at Michigan International Speedway, the risk of incidents is high, especially when the cars are three or four-wide on the track. Custer described the frantic moments after first contact:
“The second you try and save it, you’re just into the next guy. So, it’s just kind of the nature of the beast here.”
—Cole Custer, Driver
When asked about his ability to react, Custer was direct: with little warning and no room to maneuver, he said it was almost impossible to avoid getting caught up with others.
Aftermath and What Comes Next
Both Cole Custer and Alex Bowman were evaluated and released from the infield care center without serious injury, despite the hard hits. The crash was a blow for the Haas Factory Team’s momentum and morale, as the organization hoped to build stronger results during the summer stretch of the NASCAR Cup Series. As teams prepare for the next round, the incident at Michigan will likely serve as a reminder of how quickly races can change and how persistence will be necessary to recover lost ground in the standings.
