“What would you do to win a championship?”
For NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, his infamous, “I’d wreck my mom to win a championship,” line from 2011 immediately comes to mind.
For Cole Custer, who ironically drives for Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, it was driving backward.
Two weeks ago at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, Custer was lurking on the bubble of a Championship 4 appearance on the final lap before chaos ensued. Custer’s No. 00 Ford was sent spinning as other competitors scattered around him.
A heads-up move from Custer saw a beaten and battered Ford rev into reverse as he crossed the start/finish line in 19th, securing his place in the championship race.
Fast-forward to the season finale at Phoenix Raceway and it was yet another season-defining moment.
The 25-year-old had swiped the lead from title contender John Hunter Nemechek late in the race, though a caution flag with five laps to go, forced an overtime restart.
What ensued was a thrilling three-wide battle among Custer and title contenders Nemechek and Justin Allgaier.
While his car began to fade, Custer found another gear and whipped back to the lead to take the white flag. He hung on to win the race and the Xfinity Series championship, the first for Stewart-Haas Racing.
“That was crazy. Having it three-wide there at the end,” Custer beamed. “I can’t believe we went from third to first there when we dropped back. Man, it was such a fast car. JT (Jonathan Toney, crew chief) and all the guys did such a great job. I can’t thank everybody at the team.”
It was a vindicating moment for Custer, who after three seasons of limited success in the Cup Series with SHR was demoted to Xfinity Series action this year.
“When things weren’t going good the last few years and them still believing in me coming back, I just can’t thank everybody enough. It’s a very proud moment winning this championship with these guys. I wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else.”
Custer’s title season concluded with three wins, 21 top-10 finishes and six poles. Prior to his stint in the Cup Series, Custer’s prowess in the Xfinity Series was stout.
Between 2018-’19, Custer snagged eight victories and two straight runner-up results in the standings. That second-place mark finally converted into a championship.
“It means the world. Being so close a couple times at this and how the last few years have gone, I mean, these guys still believe in me and have given me really fast race cars and just digging all year,” Custer said.
“We did such a great job just getting better and better every week. These guys just brought a rocket ship tonight and I’m so proud of everybody.”