Cole Custer, the current Xfinity Series champion, is experiencing a whirlwind of changes in his life. As he gears up for the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoff race in Las Vegas, Custer is also stepping into a new role in the Cup Series while handling the demands of fatherhood.
Life took a turn for Custer and his wife, Kari, with the birth of their son, Callahan Brian Custer. This joyful event has added a whole new dimension of responsibilities, keeping the new parents on their toes.
Recently, they faced an unexpected challenge when their Portuguese Water Dog, Honey, swallowed a piece of a baby bottle, which required surgery. “She’s all good now,” Custer reassured, adding the family had a “little scare” during the incident via NBC Sports.
“Sleep is tough. It’s non-stop,” Custer admits, praising Kari for her adaptability. Despite the hurdles of new parenthood, he’s learning to navigate the chaos, just like any other parent.
On the racing front, Custer is laser-focused on the upcoming playoff in Las Vegas, aiming for a shot at the championship race in Phoenix next month. Currently, he’s sitting second in the series standings, trailing Justin Allgaier by seven points and maintaining an 11-point cushion above the cutoff line.
With Stewart-Haas Racing’s future hanging in the balance, as the team plans to close its doors at the season’s end, the pressure is on for Custer to possibly secure a championship. He has shown great performance at Las Vegas, including top-three finishes in his last two races there.
Custer’s NASCAR journey started young, influenced by his father, Joe Custer, team president of Stewart-Haas Racing. Since debuting in the Xfinity Series back in 2016 with JR Motorsports, he has solidified his standing in the NASCAR community.
His track record includes a maiden Xfinity Series win in 2017 and a Cup Series victory in 2020, where he earned the Sunoco Rookie of the Year title. In 2023, Custer clinched his first championship while driving the No. 00 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing. He’s set to make the switch to the Cup Series next season with the rejuvenated Haas Factory Team, ready for a fresh start in his racing career.
“You don’t get many chances to win championships,” he said, emphasizing the uniqueness of his two championship opportunities. “You have to give it everything you’ve got,” he added, reflecting on the importance of seizing the moment.
Custer knows that competition is fierce, and being aggressive could lead to a risky outcome, but that’s all part of the game as he aims for success on the track.