Cole Custer, driver of the No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet, shared his insights during the 2026 Daytona 500 Media Day about his aspirations and learnings from previous races at Daytona International Speedway. As a competitor focused on the Cole Custer Daytona 500 event, he emphasized how last year’s near victory has fueled his motivation for the coming season.
“Yeah I feel there was a lot that I learned in those two races last year. Especially being so close to winning last year at Daytona. The first one was tough because I hadn’t been in a Next Gen car in two years so figuring out when to make the moves and how aggressive you can be, I think I learned a lot from that. The second Daytona I think you just try to keep knocking at the door as much as you can to try to win one of these things and eventually it’s going to be your day.”
?Cole Custer, Driver
Relationships and Strategies Among Drivers
When asked about friendships and alliances on the track, Custer expressed hope to have many allies but recognized the competitive reality of the race. He pointed out that while camaraderie exists, each driver ultimately pursues their own victory, especially given his team operates as a single-car outfit.
“I hope a lot (laughs). At the end of the day, I think everyone is out for themselves everyone wants to win that trophy over there. For us as a single car team, we’re going to be looking at ourselves.”
?Cole Custer, Driver
Custer also discussed the complexities of cooperation during the race, highlighting how plans to work together often unravel as the race begins. He noted that this year, with the Haas team switching to Chevrolet, understanding how the Chevrolet alliance functions will be a critical factor in race dynamics and approach.
“Everyone kind of talks a big game before the race that they are going to work together and then lap one happens and no one works together (laughs). But I feel like at the end of the day it’s different every year and for us, switching to Chevrolet this year, we’re trying to understand that dynamic. How everyone at Chevrolet works together and how they want to attack this race.”
?Cole Custer, Driver
The Importance of Team Alliances and Past Champions
Drawing attention to the advantage of alliances, Custer mentioned the significance of their relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, noting their success at Daytona as a major influence for Haas Factory Team Chevrolet. He sees building on this alliance as an opportunity to improve performance throughout the season.
“It’s huge, they are the champions from last year and having an alliance with Hendrick and they also are the champions from last year. So, if there are some little things we can learn throughout the year and build that relationship to get better and better as a team and also help each other, that is the goal.”
?Cole Custer, Driver
Perspective on New Playoff Rules and Racing Consistency
Regarding the updated playoff format, Custer expressed enthusiasm, noting that his consistent approach to racing aligns well with a system that rewards steady performance over the season. He believes avoiding incidents such as crashes, which lead to zero points, will be essential under the new rules.
“I’m excited about it. I’ve always kind of liked points racing honestly because I’m kind of consistent and this is what it is going to take. Not having the DNFs and the wrecks that get you no points. If you can keep yourself in the game week after week, that’s going to mean a lot in this format.”
?Cole Custer, Driver
Outlook for the 2026 Daytona 500 Challenge
Cole Custer’s reflections highlight a blend of determination and cautious optimism as he prepares for the highly competitive Daytona 500. With the team’s alliance forming with Hendrick Motorsports and adapting to Chevrolet’s dynamics, Custer aims to transform lessons from past near-wins into a breakthrough performance. His views on consistency and strategic awareness signal a focused effort to claim victory in one of NASCAR’s premier racing events.
