Haas Factory Team (HFT) is taking steps to secure its future, both in the NASCAR Cup Series and the Xfinity Series. With Cole Custer ascending to the Cup Series following his historic victory in the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship, the Haas-led Stewart-Haas Racing lineup is set for a reshuffle, which could open up new opportunities for emerging talents like Hailie Deegan, who recently lost her seat with AM Racing.
Stewart-Haas Racing plans to continue their two-car Xfinity Series campaign in 2025. Custer’s departure to the Cup Series provides a vacuum that offers up fresh opportunities, especially as Riley Herbst, another regular on the squad, is also considering a transfer.
Joe Custer, the team president, is straightforward about the team’s objective. He explained, according to Motorsport:
“We need to win at that level [Xfinity], therefore we’re open to considering all driver alternatives.
“Perhaps someone who already participates in the sport. Perhaps one of the Cup drivers will come down. Because we need to get automobiles into the winner’s circle, we need to sort out our equipment because our business model relies on technical partners to keep the program running well. If we don’t win, and if we don’t lead on the track, our other teammates, the Siegs, and so on, will find it difficult to think that we can provide the data and leadership that they require. “So it’s a different model.”
This plan also involves evaluating drivers from technical partner teams into Haas, providing a smooth mobility between affiliated teams, but with an open approach to selecting the correct talent for their automobiles. Integrating this infusion of talent is critical because Haas wants “to field eight successful vehicle Xfinity teams showing up at every event next year.” Custer continued:
“To be honest, part of our game plan is for drivers to join both those teams and our own. Whether they go from theirs to ours is uncertain. Every choice is available. However, we anticipate eight successful vehicle Xfinity teams competing in every race next year and the next year with a high degree of skill and the capacity to win.”
Among these changes, Hailie Deegan’s future at Haas has been a topic of discussion. Deegan recently parted company with AM Racing in the Xfinity Series following a streak of mediocre outings, and some in the business believe his potential remains untapped. Her previous affiliations with Haas through technological agreements had not gone ignored, and Custer spoke about the possibility of introducing her into the team in the future. He said:”Clearly she was with one of our technical partners. So that’s a challenge, to see what the future holds for her. We feel there is more in her, and we want to be a part of it, but that is for future discussions.”
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