After clinging onto their final charter, the newly rebranded Haas Factory Team powered on in 2025 as a solo-car operation. Bringing Cole Custer back to the Cup Series, it was going to be an interesting test to see how the team would do. In the years prior as 4-car organization, the downward trend certainly was felt across each of their teams. During the Gen7 era, only Kevin Harvick was keeping Haas relevant. While 2025 on paper does not look kindly upon Haas’s efforts, there were some signs of better things to come in 2026. With a manufacturer change for this coming season, what does the 2026 Season Preview for the Haas Factory Team look like?
#41 – Cole Custer
Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Crew Chief: Aaron Kramer
2025 Points Finish: 32
2026 Announced Sponsors: Haas Automation, Bonanza Wine, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Autodesk
After two successful seasons in the O’Reilly Series, Cole Custer made his return to the Cup Series last year. Expectations were low due to Haas downsizing to 1 chartered entry and their recent struggles. However, Custer managed to put up similar numbers as he did before his demotion. His average finish certainly ballooned a bit, but he scored the same number of Top-10s as his last Cup season and tied his career high in Top-5s. Granted, most of that success arrived on superspeedways.
2026 Expectations
Expectations will remain low for this team. Unfortunately, someone has to be part of the back markers in the Cup Series. For Cole Custer and the 41 team, that is them. However, that does not mean Custer cannot sneak away with a good performance or two. Obviously, the superspeedways will be what is circled for potential success. In both Daytona races last year, Custer found himself at the front of the field on the white flag lap. Outside of the superspeedways, there are plenty of opportunities for this team to score Top-20s.
Switch to Chevy
In the continued descent of Ford Racing, Haas Factory Team has jumped ship to pair with Chevy. Forming an alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, the question will be whether this organizational shift will benefit the team. More than likely, 2026 will only see marginal gains for Haas. That said, a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports has greatly benefitted Spire Motorsports. Still, it would be a surprise to see Custer running inside the Top-10 on any consistent basis outside the drafting drafts.
Catch up on the previous 2026 Season Previews
Hendrick Motorsports; Joe Gibbs Racing; Team Penske; Trackhouse Racing; 23XI Racing; RFK Racing; Spire Motorsports; Legacy Motor Club; Front Row Motorsports; Richard Childress Racing; Wood Brothers Racing; Kaulig Racing; Hyak Motorsports