Cole Custer’s journey from Cup Series contender to Xfinity Series underdog culminated in a dramatic Championship 4 qualification. Custer, who was demoted to Xfinity this year by Tony Stewart, secured his spot in the title race at Phoenix Raceway. The racing world held its breath during an action-packed finish that left both fans and drivers on edge. Moreover, Tony Stewart also made an announcement regarding Stewart-Haas Racing’s plans for the 2024 Cup Series season.

A year ago, the racing world watched as Tony Stewart engaged in an internal team battle with his partner Gene Haas. The point of contention was the driver who will drive the #41 car in 2023. At the time, Cole Custer was behind the wheel, while Ryan Preece served as a reserve driver. Stewart ultimately emerged victorious in this battle. He promoted Preece to the Cup Series for 2023, marking the end of Custer’s Cup Series journey with Stewart-Haas Racing.

Demoted to Xfinity by Tony Stewart, Cole Custer points his way into the Championship 4

The decision to replace Custer, who had experienced a lackluster 2022 season, and introduce Ryan Preece to the Cup Series roster was made in hopes of revitalizing the team’s performance. This significant move saw Custer demoted, and he teamed up with Riley Herbst in a second Ford machine.

As the Xfinity Series headed to Martinsville, the stakes were high, with spots in the championship race on the line. The race was nothing short of chaotic, living up to Martinsville‘s reputation. The final laps of the race were particularly intense, with drivers fighting desperately for a spot in the Championship 4.

The regular-season champion, Austin Hill, seemed to have the race under control as the laps dwindled. However, repeated contact between Hill and teammate Sheldon Creed during two overtime laps set the stage for a chain-reaction wreck in the final corner. This wreck ultimately dashed Hill’s hopes of competing for the championship at the Phoenix Raceway.

However, amidst the wreckage and chaos, Cole Custer managed to execute a heads-up move. Even though his car was battered in the wreck, he backed it across the finish line, securing the final spot in the Championship 4 over Hill.

Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Custer later recounted the final few laps of the race. “I am so thankful it’s over, you know,” Custer began. “We had a really fast car, we got good stage points, our guys did a great job of maximizing the day, and at the end there, you’re just… We knew we had to finish 6th. So that was our goal there, and just had to keep the #7 inside. We tried to pick behind him on the restart just to make sure he wasn’t out of sight. And from there, I mean, all hell broke loose. The #2 was desperate, the #18 was desperate, everybody was desperate.”

Custer’s description of the chaos on the track highlighted the intensity of the moment. “So, the #21 got spun, and from there, I just got piled into it. I think they are just pushing me into it, knocked the nose off the car, and we’re all sitting there at the front stretch, and it’s like, man, we all gotta get going here. We gotta make it across the line, or we’re not gonna get as many points… But it was something else. I am so thankful it’s over, I don’t ever wanna do that again. I want to come in here with a ton of points… or have a win under our belt this round, ’cause its nerve-wracking. And just a lot of issues that are out of your hands at the end.”

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Tony Stewart, who has been on the edge about whether Aric Almirola will race for SHR in 2024, finally has an answer.

Stewart bids farewell to Aric Almirola as he announces his team’s future

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Stewart-Haas Racing, one of the prominent teams in NASCAR, will continue to be a four-car operation in the Cup Series in 2024. The confirmation came after Aric Almirola‘s departure left a vacant seat in the #10 Ford Mustang. With Kevin Harvick set to retire at the end of the season, Stewart-Haas Racing was at the center of the 2023 silly season, generating considerable speculation about driver lineups.

Kelly Crandall of Racer Mag, posted an official statement by Tony Stewart via a tweet. The statement read, “Stewart-Haas Racing will remain a four-car team in the NASCAR Cup Series, and we will announce a new driver for the No. 10 team, along with new partners, in the near future.”

Aric Almirola’s departure from Stewart-Haas Racing marked the end of a significant chapter in his racing career. Tony Stewart shared his thoughts on Almirola, highlighting not only their racing connection but also the personal bond they had developed over the years.

“I’m proud of everything Aric has accomplished. And I am especially proud that his last six years have been with Stewart-Haas Racing,” Stewart expressed. “He and Smithfield formed an incredible partnership that resonated on and off the racetrack, and a lot of that is a testament to Aric. He always puts forth maximum effort, and he makes everyone around him better. Simply put, he’s a great person – an awesome dad to Alex and Abby and an exceptional husband to Janice.”

READ MORE: “Never Even Attempted It Until I Met Leah” – Tony Stewart Reveals a New Sport His Wife Taught Him, and It’s Not Related To Racing at All

Do you think Cole Custer can win the championship at Phoenix? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.