After the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing at the end of the 2024 season, Gene Haas is back in the NASCAR Cup Series with a fresh perspective. The Haas Factory Team marks a new chapter for the motorsport mogul. In 2025, the team will shift its full attention to a single-car entry with Cole Custer behind the wheel of the No. 41 Ford Mustang. The stakes are high as this transition brings new challenges and opportunities. With RFK Racing providing technical support, the Haas Factory Team is positioning itself for a competitive comeback.

But as expectations rise with the return, Haas’ ace driver Custer himself has subtly issued a cautionary reminder about the road ahead.

Haas driver gives an honest verdict!

Gene Haas has long been associated with success across various motorsport platforms. From Formula 1 to NASCAR, it has some historic ties. However, even his most loyal supporters know that a return to form in the Cup Series will not happen overnight. In a recent interview with NASCAR Live, Cole Custer echoed this sentiment.

“A little bit of a new place, honestly. It’s, you know, 4 down to one, it’s a lot tighter group of people, I would say. And I think it’s very exciting to see what we can do this year and hopefully build something that we can be proud of. I think we have a lot of the pieces of the puzzle to do that. I’m really excited about working with my new crew chief Aaron Kramer, having the line to RFK… We just have to walk before we run and I think hopefully by the middle of the year, we’ll be where we want to be,” Custer told NASCAR Live.

It’s worth noting that apart from a strategic alliance with Brad Keselowski and the team, Haas has roped in several former RFK employees. They announced former RFK Racing crew chief Nick Sandler as its new Competition Director. Apart from him, Kramer is also a former RFK employee. While such decisions will help Haas to maintain a balance with RFK some believe that the factory team will work as a fourth charter for RFK.

However, Custer’s crew chief Kramer declined the allegations; “Just because we have a technical alliance doesn’t mean we’re going to get help that other people would or wouldn’t otherwise get. So, we’re still going to have to race those guys. But yeah, I’ve been impressed with what we’ve gotten so far and it’s been explained in simple terms that whatever we’ll need, we’ll get.”

Cole Custer’s comments reflect the pressure and challenges the Haas Factory team might face in the upcoming season. Despite having technical support from Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing team would need to pave their way for success. However, Custer’s work ethic and clean driving style have earned him the trust of his team owner. “He just wins, and he’s proven that repeatedly,” Gene Haas praised Custer.

Cole Custer’s journey to the No. 41 Ford Mustang has been anything but conventional. The 26-year-old from Ladera Ranch, California, first entered the Cup Series in 2020. He wheeled No. 41 for Stewart-Haas Racing for three seasons. However, in 2023, he made a career-defining move to the Xfinity series.

Driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, he claimed the Xfinity Series championship in his first year back in the series. In 2024, he followed it up with a runner-up finish. During this time, he notched two wins, 14 top-five finishes, and 23 top-10 finishes. Now, the Gene Haas-led team will expect Custer to mirror his Xfinity performance in the Cup series as well. With a rookie crew chief Aaron Kramer, Custer will need to lead the charge.

Cole Custer’s new paint scheme

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Beyond the strategic challenges, Cole Custer’s return to the Cup Series comes with a fresh aesthetic. The Haas Factory Team revealed Custer’s new paint scheme for the No. 41 Ford Mustang. Fans quickly took notice. This design stands out from his Stewart-Haas Racing entries. It features a bold red base with black, gray, and white accents.

The roof showcases a gray base with a striking red No. 41. The font style for the car number has also changed, reflecting the team’s new identity under the Haas Factory Team banner. For Custer, who has spent much of his career representing Haas Automation, the new look carries personal significance. “I’ve grown up with Haas Automation, and having their name on my fire suit is something I take a tremendous amount of pride in,” he said.

While the new paint scheme highlights the new identity of the Haas team, Cole Custer will need to make a statement. In his 117 race starts he has a victory, two top-5 finishes, and 12 top-10 finishes. With an average finish of 20.6, he had decent results. However, as the sole focus of the Haas Factory Team, Custer will carry the responsibility of building a foundation for future success.