Cole Custer will replace Daniel Suarez in the No. 41 Ford at Stewart-Haas Racing in the Cup Series for 2020, according to a report Thursday by motorsport.com that cites multiple unnamed sources.
Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed the move Friday morning.
Suarez confirmed in a video message on Twitter that he will not be back with Stewart-Haas Racing after this season.
“I was as shocked as you guys are, late last night,” Suarez said. “Guys, I can promise you that I worked my heart out to make this happen and to try to put everything together. The team did as well. We were not able to put all the funding and sponsor together right on time ... we just ran out of time. I’m extremely disappointed for the outcome. It is the way it is sometimes. I’m sure something else will be waiting for me.”
A message for my fans 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/GrnRGAmpFa
— Daniel Suárez (@Daniel_SuarezG) November 14, 2019
Stewart-Haas Racing issued a statement Thursday night:
We'll always be a fan of yours, @Daniel_SuarezG. You're a class act. https://t.co/hIHqTAuab4 pic.twitter.com/c6vtOocsLa
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) November 15, 2019
Car owner Gene Haas issued a statement Friday: “I was asked last year about this time what Cole needed to do to earn his place in the NASCAR Cup Series, and I said he needed to win. Well, Cole has done that – a lot. He showed that he’s ready to compete at the next level and we’re giving him that opportunity.”
Custer said in a statement Friday: “This is the moment I’ve worked for ever since I first started racing. I’ve learned a lot in these last three years in the Xfinity Series, and to be able to stay within Stewart-Haas Racing will make a steep learning curve a little less steep. I know the people, the culture and what’s expected of me. I’m ready for this challenge.”
Custer’s promotion means that the Big 3 in the Xfinity Series — Custer, Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell — each will move to Cup together and compete for rookie of the year honors next season. Reddick will drive for Richard Childress Racing and Bell will be with Leavine Family Racing.
Bell is looking forward to the rookie battle.
“It’s really cool to see the three of us excel at the Xfinity level and now have our opportunity in Cup,” Bell said Thursday. “I look forward to racing the same two competitors on Sundays now and it will be with a bunch of other great race car drivers mixed in.”
Suarez, 27, joined Stewart-Haas Racing this season after having spent the past two years in Cup with Joe Gibbs Racing. Suarez has failed to make the Cup playoffs each season.
Asked two weeks ago at Texas about his contract situation, Suarez said: “We are not in the perfect situation. I wish two months ago we were done with all this stuff. You never know. Fortunately or unfortunately, who knows, I have been in this situation for the last couple of years. Everything will be fine. We just have to work out a couple of things sponsor wise and hopefully everything will fall in place.”
Custer, 21, is in his third full season in Xfinity. He finished second in the championship race last year and is in the championship race this year again with Reddick, Bell and Justin Allgaier. Custer has seven Xfinity wins this season and nine in 103 career series starts.
Unbelievable opportunity and I can’t thank everyone enough! Going to be working hard over the off season to be ready 👊🏻 Until then we have the biggest race of the season this weekend and we’re looking to close off this year with a win! https://t.co/ZAy8YkfAtB
— Cole Custer (@ColeCuster) November 15, 2019
