Cole Custer to join JR Motorsports for Xfinity debut

Custer, who competes fulltime in the Truck series in the No. 00 Chevrolet for JRM, will make his Xfinity Series debut in the team’s No. 5 Chevrolet in the April 23 race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

Custer, 18, is also scheduled to compete in the No. 88 Chevrolet May 28 at Charlotte and July 8 at Kentucky. His final starts will come in the No. 5, Oct. 7 at Charlotte and Nov. 19 at Homestead, Fla.

“Cole is a driver who has shown a lot of potential,” said team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. “He is fast and tenacious, he leads laps and wins races; everything you want out of a driver no matter how much experience they have.

“We take a lot of pride in helping guys advance their careers towards their ultimate goal of racing in the Cup Series. Cole is on that path and I’m happy that we’re able to put him in our cars to help in that process.”

Custer, who will graduate from high school in May, has two career Truck victories and remains the youngest winner in NASCAR’s three national series with his Truck victory at New Hampshire in 2014.

“Seat time is critical to development as a driver, and the more I can get, especially with a team like JRM, the faster that development will go,” said Custer. “This is a great opportunity for me to get more laps, get used to the equipment, and compete at another level.”