JOLIET, Ill. - Stewart-Haas Racing announced Friday that NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Cole Custer will join SHR to compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2017.
SHR announced in July intentions to field a full-time entry in the Xfinity Series. The 18-year-old California native will compete for rookie of the year honors with sponsorship from Haas Automation on the No. 00 Ford.
"Cole Custer has accomplished a lot at a very young age and is well positioned to make the next step to the NASCAR Xfinity Series," said Greg Zipadelli, vice president of competition at SHR. "Our goal with our Xfinity Series program is to develop young talent, and that includes behind the wheel. Cole has earned this opportunity and we look forward to working with him."
Custer has 34 career Truck Series starts, scoring two wins, eight top fives, and 17 top-10 finishes. He became the series' youngest race winner at 16 years, 239 days when he won at New Hampshire in September of 2014. He has three Xfinity Series starts in 2016, all with JR Motorsports, with a best finish of fourth at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.
"I've really enjoyed the Xfinity Series races I've run this year and I'm looking forward to running the full schedule in 2017," Custer said. "It's a new challenge, and with the resources of Stewart-Haas Racing, I'm in the best position to learn and succeed. I'm grateful for the chance they've given me and I plan to make the most of it."
Custer currently sits ninth in Truck Series points in his first full-time season in one of NASCAR's top three series.