Cole Custer

Cole Matthew Custer, born January 23, 1998, in Ladera Ranch, California, is an accomplished American professional stock car racing driver. As of 2025, Custer competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the Haas Factory Team. With a prolific career that includes success in all three of NASCAR’s national touring series and an Xfinity Series championship, Custer is recognized as a versatile and talented competitor.

Early Life and Background

Custer showed an early passion for racing, starting quarter midget competition at the age of four. His early career featured a rapid rise through grassroots racing ranks, including USAC National Focus Young Guns Championship wins, late model victories, and entry into the K&N Pro Series East by age 15. Notably, he set records as the youngest race winner in K&N Pro Series history and demonstrated strong early performance by winning poles and races at tracks like Iowa and New Hampshire.

Career

Custer’s NASCAR career gained momentum through achievements in the Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and eventually the Cup Series. In 2014, at Gateway Motorsports Park, he became the youngest pole winner in NASCAR’s national touring series history at 16 years and four months. That same year, he became the youngest NASCAR national series race winner with a Truck Series victory at New Hampshire. He continued to dominate age-related records in the ARCA Series and K&N Pro Series before progressing fully into NASCAR’s larger stages.

His Xfinity Series tenure, primarily with JR Motorsports and Stewart-Haas Racing, included 8 wins, 31 top fives, and 50 top tens, finishing runner-up in back-to-back seasons (2018 and 2019). Highlights include a dominant win at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2017, where he led 182 laps, setting a record for most laps led in a single Xfinity race at that track.

Promoted to Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cup Series program in 2020, Custer won his maiden Cup race in the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway, becoming the first rookie winner in four years. He earned Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and made the playoffs before being eliminated in the third round.

Custer left Stewart-Haas Racing after the 2022 season but continued with the reorganized Haas Factory Team following SHR’s decision to shut down its NASCAR operations at the end of 2024. He remains a cornerstone driver for the newly branded Haas Factory Team in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, recognized for his aggressive yet calculated driving style.

Off-Track Ventures

Custer enjoys a private personal life. He is an avid golfer, grill master, and outdoor enthusiast. Beyond racing, public details of significant business ventures are limited, but he is active in sponsor engagements and charitable events. His focus remains strongly on his racing career and family.

Net Worth

Cole Custer’s net worth is estimated at $2.5 million, primarily from race earnings, sponsorship deals, and his long-standing connection with the Haas Factory Team.

Family Life

Cole Custer is the son of Joe Custer, who serves as President of the Haas Factory Team. He is married to Kari Custer, and they have one son named Cal. The family resides in Davidson, North Carolina. Custer tends to keep his family life private but occasionally shares glimpses on social media.

Recent Controversies

Custer has maintained a clean reputation with no significant controversies reported throughout his career. He is viewed as a professional driver focused on performance and competition.

Key Highlights from Season 2024 and 1 August 2025

• 2024: Delivered consistent top-10 finishes for Stewart-Haas Racing before the team ceased operations, showcasing strong adaptability and competitive pace throughout the season.

• 1 August 2025: Continued as a cornerstone driver for the Haas Factory Team, maintaining consistency and potential playoff contention amid a competitive Cup Series field.