Youngster Cole Custer Scheduled For Nine K&N Pro Series East Races

Second-year driver Cole Custer will run nine events in the Bill McAnally Racing No. 00 NAPA/Haas Automation entry. Custer of Ladera Ranch, Calif., raced in the K&N East in 2013 as a 15-year-old rookie – capturing two wins, two poles and finishing eighth in the overall championship standings. He also had one pole in two starts in the K&N West. 

Cole Custer wins the pole position in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
qualifying for the Casino Arizona 50. (Getty Images for NASCAR)

“Cole Custer displayed his potential in winning races as a series rookie and we look for that performance to continue in 2014,” McAnally said. “And we are confident that Nick Drake will make a quick transition to NASCAR following his success in open-wheel cars.”

Prior to competing in NASCAR’s top developmental series, Custer raced Late Model stock cars in California, Nevada, North Carolina and South Carolina. His open-wheel racing before that was highlighted by a JR USAC Ford Focus Midget national championship in 2011. His previous racing experience included USAC Midgets, Legend cars, go-karts and Bandalero’s. He competed in QMA and USAC Quarter Midgets early in his career.

Custer is the son of Stewart-Haas Racing Executive Vice President Joe Custer, who admitted he did not anticipate how competitive his son’s team would become in its first season in the K&N East last year.

“Building a competitive effort in the K&N East came about quicker than I expected,” he said. “Now, teaming with Bill McAnally Racing is a great opportunity to continue moving forward to the next level. I’ve long admired what Bill and his staff have accomplished in the K&N West and I’m glad for the chance for this new team to join together as he expands into the K&N East.”

Matt Goslant, who served as the crew chief for Custer in his rookie season in 2013 and prior to that had led BMR’s championship team when it won the K&N West title in 2010, will head up BMR’s new K&N East program as the general manager.

“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with Bill again,” Goslant said. “With what we’ve established in the K&N East, I think this is going to make a great combination. And I’m really excited to be working with NAPA again. They’re a great sponsor and I think we’re going to make them proud.”