Cole Custer Tapped for Three-Race Stint with Rick Ware Racing Starting at Atlanta

Cole Custer, a 12-time winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will return to the NASCAR Cup Series for a three-race deal with Rick Ware Racing, starting at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The 25-year-old driver will get behind the wheel of the No. 51 Jacob Companies Ford Mustang in Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at the 1.5-mile superspeedway, before returning to one of the organization’s two full-time entries at New Hampshire and Pocono.

“It’s great to be getting back into a Cup car again,” Custer said. “I can’t thank Rick Ware Racing enough for this opportunity. RWR is building a solid program and I’m happy to help keep it growing in the right direction. It’s fun to be part of their group and hopefully, we’ll have some solid runs together.”

Custer is currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, after contesting the three prior seasons at NASCAR’s top level with Stewart-Haas Racing, where he recorded one victory and two top-five results.

Atlanta Motor Speedway will mark the first NASCAR Cup Series start for the Ladera Ranch, California-native since departing the series full-time at the conclusion of last season.

“We have put a lot of effort into elevating our program the past two years and having Cole come race with us again is great for the team,” said Rick Ware. “He has won at every level he’s competed in and is having a strong season in the Xfinity Series this year. We’re hoping to capitalize on the momentum of Cole winning two of the last three NXS races, and we look forward to getting started together in Atlanta.”

This three-race stint with Custer and Rick Ware Racing won’t be totally new either, as the driver and organization have teamed up in both the NASCAR Cup Series (2018) and NASCAR Xfinity Series (2021).