Gene Haas, a pivotal figure in the NASCAR scene, is charting a new course following the closure of Stewart-Haas Racing. With a new technical alliance with RFK Racing, Haas is set to continue his legacy by focusing on his Haas Factory Team (HFT). The 2025 season will see Cole Custer behind the wheel of the #41 Ford, marking an exciting chapter for both the driver and the team. This alliance is a significant step forward, providing HFT with the experience and technical support they need to compete at the highest level.
In a recent interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Joe Custer, the president of HFT and Cole Custer’s father, shared insights into their collaboration with RFK Racing. He expressed confidence in the team’s preparedness for the upcoming season. “We’re in really good shape on data, everything we need next year,” he said. “There’s no lack of support from Ford. And then RFK, they’ve got experience, and candidly we have experience on both sides of alliances. We do it right now in Xfinity, and quite a bit of it.”
This isn’t HFT’s first foray into technical partnerships. The team previously worked with Hendrick Motorsports, running Chevrolet engines and building a successful program in the late 2000s and early 2010s. During this time, Stewart-Haas Racing secured two Cup Series titles with Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick, cementing their place in NASCAR history. “I feel like, in some ways, we established a very successful program with Hendrick Motorsports when we had an affiliation with them. So we kind of know what it takes,” Custer added.
RFK Racing, co-owned by the 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski, is one of the strongest teams under Ford’s banner. Competing in the Cup Series with two full-time drivers, Chris Buescher in the #17 Ford Mustang and Keselowski himself in the #6 car, RFK brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. This partnership promises to elevate HFT’s performance and competitive edge.
Building successful teams in motorsports goes beyond technical alliances and data. It involves cultivating strong relationships within the organization. Joe Custer emphasized this personal aspect of racing, highlighting the importance of good relationships with crew chiefs and engineers. “There’s a personal aspect to racing that you can never overestimate. And so that is going to be key to our success is the relationships we actually build with those folks. And we have them now,” he said.
Custer noted that HFT already has a solid network among Ford teams, where everyone knows each other. “So, we know their people, they know ours. We look to build on that, but more importantly, at the crew chief race engineer level, earning a good relationship with RFK,” he explained. This focus on strong interpersonal connections aims to ensure seamless collaboration and a united front in their racing endeavors.
While HFT has confirmed their participation in the Cup Series, the future drivers for their two-car charter in the Xfinity Series remain uncertain. Cole Custer’s return to NASCAR’s top division leaves a vacancy in the Xfinity car. The future of Riley Herbst, Custer’s former teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing, is still up in the air. Reports suggest that Herbst has been offered a ride with Haas Factory Team, but nothing has been finalized yet.
As Gene Haas continues to navigate the changing landscape of NASCAR, his commitment to excellence and innovation remains unwavering. The technical alliance with RFK Racing is a testament to this, providing HFT with the resources and support needed to compete at the highest level. With seasoned drivers like Cole Custer and the strategic partnership with a powerhouse like RFK, the future looks promising for Haas Factory Team.
This narrative not only details the technical aspects of the alliance but also delves into the human elements that are crucial for success in motorsports. By emphasizing the importance of relationships and teamwork, Joe Custer’s insights offer a holistic view of what it takes to build a winning team. As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on HFT and their new journey in the NASCAR Cup Series, eagerly anticipating the impact of their collaboration with RFK Racing.
