NASCAR driver Cole Custer has faced some potential uncertainty in the Cup Series beyond the 2026 season amid speculation that the Haas Factory Team could sell its lone charter. Before this weekend’s race, Haas president Joe Custer offered a definitive answer on both the team and Custer’s future in Cup.
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend’s Iowa Corn 350 at Iowa Speedway, Haas’ president made it clear that both he and team owner Gene Haas are committed to remaining in the Cup Series and won’t sell the charter.
“We are dead committed. Gene Haas is an F1 owner and a NASCAR owner, and we intend to keep it that way. His business is strong. We are going to try to figure out Cup as a single-car team. We’ve got a ways to go, but stay tuned, because we’re not happy.”
Haas Factory Team president Joe Custer on deciding not to sell the Cup Series charter (via Jeff Gluck)
The timing of the announcement is also notable. On Saturday, Haas revealed that it will be moving to a three-car team in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next season with Dean Thompson officially signing a multi-year deal to join Haas for next season. While the team hasn’t determined whether both Sheldon Creed and Sam Mayer will be back in their respective cars next year, Haas is now committed to having three full-time OARS drivers in 2027.
Related: Insider Reveals Potential Cost of a NASCAR Charter in Cup Series
Some theorize that Haas might sell its charter and use that money to provide more resources to its O’Reilly Series team. That would’ve made even more sense given the team’s move to a three-driver team for next season. The costs of running a single car in the OARS has skyrocketed in recent years, as Tommy Balwin has detailed, so selling that Cup Series charter would’ve provided a massive financial windfall for Haas.
Haas has made it clear that no one in the organization is happy with how the No. 41 car is performing. Through 22 points races this season, Custer ranks 30th in points without a single top-10 and he has one of the worst average finishing positions (25) in the Cup Series. Despite that, Joe Custer and Gene Haas remain committed to running a full-time car at the highest level in NASCAR.
The decision is also a bit of unfortunate news for RFK Racing. Legacy Motor Club acquired the rights to the charter that had been lent to RFK by Rick Ware Racing. RFK has already confirmed that Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece will all be full-time drivers for the team in 2027, so one of them will have to run in an open car as of now.
This certainly is not the most financially driven move by Haas, especially at a time when charters can be sold at historic prices and the Cup Series is largely being dominated by the top four teams. At least for Custer, the 28-year-old driver gets to stick around in the Cup Series even if it means spending most races in the back of the field.
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