DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Stewart Haas Racing’s Cole Custer always respected the spotters in NASCAR racing – but after taking on the role himself this past weekend at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway during ARCA Racing Series preseason testing, his appreciation was elevated to a new level.
“It was tough,” said Custer who spotted for friend and former ARCA winner Brandon McReynolds during the two-day test at the ‘World Center of Racing.’
“I don’t think those guys (spotters) get enough credit for sure, especially here at Daytona, because spotters mean so much because even on single-car stuff you don’t want to get into a draft and just have to put them out there by themselves perfectly.
“Then also in the draft, obviously, it’s extremely hard telling them what’s going on around them without making a mistake. It gives you a good perspective on it though.”
While its far-fetched that Custer, driver of the No. 00 Haas Automation Ford will trade his uniform in for a pair of binoculars and a pair of radios anytime soon, the NASCAR Next alumnus is readily preparing for his third full season of Xfinity Series competition and more importantly a championship run.
After winning at Texas Motor Speedway last November and catapulting his Stewart-Haas Racing team into the Championship 4 at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, the 20-year-old came up one position short for the Xfinity Series championship finishing second after leading 95 laps to winner and series champion Tyler Reddick.
And while Custer’s crew chief Jeff Meendering also left the organization following Homestead for Joe Gibbs Racing and driver Brandon Jones, Custer doesn’t seem fazed about a new leader coming in for the 2019 season and shaking up the program.
Instead, he’s embracing the level of activity by his No. 00 team and their determination to win races this year even with a new crew chief who has yet to be named.
Custer though doesn’t nestle into the world of silly season, he’s focusing on what he has to do in 2019 – and for him, that’s plain and simple. Win.
No more talking.
The Ladera Ranch, Calif. native said his actions on the track will have to speak for themselves – especially if his future is to include the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
“Right now, we’re focused on winning races,” added Custer. “Last year we competed for a lot of wins, but this year we need to make it happen. That’s pretty much the plan. “I think we have some great cars and great people – we just need that last little tiny step. I think we make it happen.”
An element to aid Stewart Haas Racing’s Xfinity program will be the addition of a second car fulltime and branding the organization with drivers Custer and Chase Briscoe this season.
Custer believes the addition of Briscoe will be beneficial to both teams.
“Yeah for sure,” sounded Custer when asked if Briscoe can help improve his Xfinity program. “Just for the team to bounce notes off each other setup wise and such is huge. And then also having someone to bounce off notes with driving wise.
“Even on the speedways (like Daytona) – you can maybe have that little from a teammate when you need it. I think it’s going to be a big year for us.”
About a month out from Speedweeks 2019 and his fifth start at Daytona’s 2.5-mile superspeedway, Custer will eye his third career win a week after hoping to see McReynolds earn his Daytona trophy in the ARCA Racing Series season-opener’ on Feb. 9.
But when asked if Custer will return to Daytona to spot for McReynolds, the charismatic driver was quick to reply with a chuckle, “I don’t think I’ll get the callback.”
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
