Not everyone in the NASCAR world is happy with the way Stewart-Haas Racing treated Cole Custer this season.
Tony Stewart and Gene Haas had two different preferences for the choice of their driver for the No. 41 car. Haas wanted to give Custer another year to prove himself while Stewart was opting for Ryan Preece.
And it was Stewart who got the final word. And as a result, Custer was demoted to the Xfinity Series after three years at NASCAR’s top tier.
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In their effort to make the news exciting, SHR released a video highlighting Custer’s return to the Xfinity Series in the No. 00 car.
The Return of Stone Cole Custer in the No. 00. pic.twitter.com/eGyl2wEL1q
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 23, 2022
However, fans didn’t go by this hype narrative and were rather quick to point out the way that Custer was treated by SHR. They rallied behind Custer, expressing their support for the driver.
Many even wanted Custer to change teams after a successful 2023 season. But some see it as positive news for Custer who can build up his career again.
This is the best demotion hype video ever!
— Justin Warner (@jgwjets1783) November 23, 2022
Shameful. This guy is too good to be in Xfinity. Hope he goes to TRD in 2024.
— Ø (@pshingle) November 23, 2022
SHR can finally be relevant now in the Xfinity series!
— Michael Volk | #FireDJSmith (@Michael26Volk) November 24, 2022
Let’s get it @ColeCuster Something to build and springboard off of for bigger things later
— Noah Finsterbusch (@finster_busch) November 23, 2022
Hope he wins a dozen races takes the championship and gets a ride at JGR in 24 takes over the 19. SHR is a shit team the last few yrs in cup. Harvick will be gone then SHR becomes Another team run by an ex champion as his team is sold repeatedly, a shell of former glory.
— Gryffon Thorne III (@OneNonsensical) November 23, 2022
And, certainly, it’s not the end for Custer, who is just 24 years of age. His time at the Cup Series might not have gone according to plan, although he won in his rookie season and was awarded the Rookie of the Year award.
Custer will also have a point to prove to himself and his team’s co-owner Stewart. With Kevin Harvick’s future uncertain after the 2023 season, Custer could as well be back racing in the Cup Series after just a year.