Cole Custer will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series; Ryan Preece to drive No. 41 for Stewart-Haas Racing
For 2022, Ryan Preece served as a reserve driver for Stewart-Haas Racing. Now, he’s been promoted within the organization.
For 2023, 32-year-old Ryan Preece will drive the No. 41 for Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
“Ryan Preece has been a real asset to our race team this year as we’ve developed the NextGen car. The time and effort he’s put into our program, combined with his real-world racing experience, earned him this opportunity,” said Tony Stewart, co-owner of SHR with Haas Automation founder Gene Haas.
Back in 2017, Preece mortgaged his house in order to race with Joe Gibbs Racing. He finished 2nd at New Hampshire then won at Iowa Speedway.
Between 2019-21, Preece drove for JTG Daugherty Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has a best finish of 3rd which came at Talladega.
In 2022, Stewart-Haas Racing signed the driver but they didn’t have a seat for him. Instead, the team negotiated with Rick Ware Racing to put him on one of their cars for just a handful of races.
Now, he’s finally getting the seat he’s spent his entire racing career looking for…
“This is the opportunity I’ve been working for,” Preece said. “Nothing was guaranteed at the start of this year, but I felt like if I put in the time, whether it was in a racecar or in a simulator, that SHR was the place for me. It’s a company built by racers, for racers, and it’s exactly where I want to be.
Preece added, “I know this season just finished and most people are looking to take a break, but I can’t wait to get going.”
Cole Custer returns to the NASCAR Xfinity Series
24-year-old, Cole Custer formerly drove the No. 41 car, he’s piloted the machine since 2020. In that time, Custer has collected just 1 win which came during his debut full-time season in 2020.
Custer will remain on the Stewart-Haas Racing roster. He’ll return to NASCAR Xfinity Series competition , driving as a teammate to Riley Herbst.
“Cole Custer has been a part of SHR since 2017 and we’re glad to have him stay with us,” Stewart said. “Cole’s experience will be invaluable to Riley Herbst as he continues his development in the Xfinity Series.”
Custer has 10 wins in the Xfinity Series.
