Cole Custer returning to Xfinity Series with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024

Cole Custer ran in the Cup Series for a few years. While he won at Kentucky as a rookie, things just never panned out at that level. Last year with the Next Gen car, it looked clear that Custer needed more development time in a lower-pressure situation.

In the Xfinity Series, Custer can run for wins and be consistent. He had 7 wins in the 2019 season before moving up to the Cup Series. While this season hasn’t been as impressive in terms of wins, he’s been a top-5 car more times than not in these playoffs.

Cole Custer staying in the Xfinity Series

So, we know that Cole Custer and Riley Herbst will return to SHR for Xfinity. That’s good for the organization and I think those two drivers should be playoff contenders next year. For the Cup Series, Josh Berry will replace Kevin Harvick, meanwhile, Chase Briscoe and Ryan Preece will remain in their seats.

That leaves just Almirola’s seat open. Clearly, it isn’t going to be a promotion from inside the organization. Herbst and Custer are both returning to their Xfinity rides. Rumors have been going around for a couple of weeks or more that Noah Gragson is the favorite for this seat.

At first glance, it doesn’t make a lot of sense. Gragson is a “West Coast” driver from Las Vegas. His teammates are all nitty-gritty racers from the Midwest, South, and Northeast. Then there is the controversy from this season that got him booted early from Legacy Motor Club. Not to mention, he couldn’t finish better than 20th place most weekends.

However, when you look at the free agency landscape, who else is there? Ford Performance does not have a deep talent pool. Especially since losing Zane Smith to Chevy and Trackhouse/Spire. Gragson has experience, but can he handle the pressure of the Cup Series after what may have been one of the worst rookie seasons of all time?