via Getty
CONCORD, NC – OCTOBER 12: Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 The Home Depot Chevrolet, gets into his car in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 12, 2007 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
via Getty
CONCORD, NC – OCTOBER 12: Tony Stewart, driver of the #20 The Home Depot Chevrolet, gets into his car in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Bank of America 500 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on October 12, 2007 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
In the buildup to the 2023 NASCAR Cup season, the signing season has been in full swing. Now, the latest news comes from the Stewart-Haas Racing camp. As it turns out, they have officially confirmed that Ryan Preece will take over the #41 seat from Cole Custer. Preece will undoubtedly be excited to be back in racing action after a year away as a reserve for SHR, and Tony Stewart will be delighted at the news.
Preece confirmed in the 41 Cup car next year. https://t.co/wcopBOknT0
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 16, 2022
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As for Custer himself, he will be moving down to the Xfinity Series for the upcoming campaign. It is worth mentioning that there was a battle of wills between team owners Tony Stewart and Gene Haas. Haas wanted to retain Custer for another season, but Stewart was pushing to recruit Preece in the #41 car. Now, it looks like the 3-time Cup Series champion has won the battle.
How did fans react to the Tony Stewart-backed driver winning the seat?
Naturally, social media was abuzz with the news of Preece’s promotion and Custer’s demotion. suffice to say, many of the comments were not too kind to Custer. Many people observed that Cole Custer had been largely unspectacular in his NASCAR Cup career. His only saving grace was his 2020 Quaker State 400 win at the Kentucky Speedway, which would be his only win.
Why they keeping that bum in a car smh
— Cool Breeze (@ZakAttack245) November 16, 2022
So we have SHR picking between Custer and Preece when they could have pursued Kyle Busch? Say it ain’t so @KevinHarvick
& I’m not trying to throw shade at Custer or Preece, but it’s Kyle Busch…
— E✞han (@ethanmtchll) November 16, 2022
This puts 2 Fords from SHR back in the Xfinity Series, and I think this is also going to push Herbst to perform next year as well.
— Family Man (@TeamKFBfan8) November 16, 2022
Gene will probably continue sponsoring the 41 like he has wanted since the start of the 41
— John Haas (@JohnHaas1984) November 16, 2022
Others acknowledged that while Ryan Preece may not be a top-class driver, he is dependable. Some likened him to former NASCAR driver Ken Schrader, who they argued, had the ability to drive any car. A few fans were even left wondering about the last time there was an internal driver demotion.
Smart, Custer did nothing beside one win.
— Ethan (Happi Arc) (@Pokefan_2844) November 16, 2022
Preece may not be a top tier talent, but he is in the mold of a Ken Schrader who will drive anything. Solid choice
— Ron Dolan🍀 (@Tallguy2436) November 16, 2022
Let's be honest here Cole really didn't do much in cup.
— jessie rae mong (@funcountrylivin) November 16, 2022
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Wow, when is the last time we saw an internal demotion like this
— Jon (@JonSchantz) November 16, 2022
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Some people even wondered why Stewart-Haas Racing kept their options between Preece and Custer. Especially when there was a free agent called Kyle Busch, who was ripe for the picking. Fans even predicted that this situation will force the Xfinity Series drivers to perform better to earn a promotion to the Cup Series.
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