Cole Custer can do something this year that no other NASCAR Xfinity Series driver can accomplish.
To state the obvious, as the reigning series champion, he alone can win back-to-back titles.
Surprisingly, perhaps, consecutive championships in the Xfinity Series are not uncommon. In the past three decades, five drivers have accomplished the feat: Randy LaJoie (1996-1997), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (1998-1999), Martin Truex Jr. (2004-2005), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2011-2012) and Tyler Reddick (2018-2019, with two different teams).
“(Winning) back-to-back championships is something that’s definitely a statement,” Custer said. “It’s something that’s really cool to do. We have such a great opportunity to accomplish it this year, and you just don’t get that many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like that.
“We want to put everything into it to try to make it happen.”
A second championship would carry special meaning to Custer and his Stewart-Haas Racing team, given that the organization will cease to exist after this season. Custer will return full-time to the NASCAR Cup Series with the reconstituted Haas Factory Team.
“These guys I’ve raced with in the Xfinity Series, this No. 00 team, have been unbelievable,” Custer said. “To do this with these guys and compete for another championship, and just to look back at the things we’ve accomplished, it really means a ton.
“I can’t thank them enough, and hopefully we can put this all together and end it out strong.”
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