LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Ahead of his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) debut in tomorrow afternoon’s Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube, Cole Custer rebounded in his full-time duties, collecting his first top-10 finish in the Xfinity Series’ Boyd Gaming 300.
Highlighted as one of the championship contenders this season, Custer had hoped to use his 14th place finish at Daytona two weeks ago to propel him towards a stronger run at Atlanta.
However, an accident 10 laps into last weekend’s Xfinity Series race at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway knocked the Stewart-Haas Racing out of the race and a 39th place finish.
This weekend at Las Vegas, Custer played his cards during the third Xfinity race of the year, led four laps and earned a ninth-place finish, his 22nd career top-10 in 41 starts.
“I thought we had a solid Mustang,” said Custer. “I thought we had a top-five car. We just didn’t have the best restarts and I think that is what hurt us the most. I was happy with how much speed we have. We will be able to build off that.”
The NASCAR Next alumnus said he needed to make gains on the restarts, but it never materialized.
“We definitely wanted more but the restarts just weren’t there today. Some runs we were really good on the long runs and some runs we were better on the short runs. It could go either way. I think you need the balance of both.”
His performance Saturday jumped him 12 places in the Xfinity Series point standings from 25th to 12th with 30 races remaining in 2018.
Custer qualified his No. 51 Haas Automation Ford 30th for his Cup debut for Rick Ware Racing. The Ladera Ranch, Calif. has said for the past several weeks, his primary goal in the 400-lap race is seeing the checkered flag.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
