Tyler Reddick and Cole Custer are two of the best young guns in the Xfinity Series. With Reddick winning the Xfinity Series championship last year and Custer winning multiple races this year, it is about time these guys made their move up to the Premier Series.
Tyler Reddick
Xfinity Series Stats:
- 2018 Champion
- Starts: 60
- Wins: 4
- Top 5’s: 18
- Top 10’s: 34
- Poles: 4
Reddick may be the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion, but many thought that was a fluke championship. Reddick has gone out this year with Richard Childress Racing and he is proving that it wasn’t a fluke.
Many look to Christopher Bell as the clear favorite in Xfinity Series, but Reddick has been right with Bell every step of the way this year. The driver of the 2 car actually sits 1st in the points 32 points ahead of Bell. Reddick has more top 5’s and top 10’s than Bell this year. So if Bell makes the move to the Premier Series next year, Reddick should not be too far behind.
Options For Reddick in 2020
- Reddick Joins RCR in the Premier Series as a 3rd Car– With Daniel Hemric making the move up in 2019, it could lead Reddick to follow in his footsteps. Reddick has shown he can run the top guys like Kyle Busch, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski. So this would not be a bad move for 2020. RCR can also handle a three car team as they did in for many years before last year.
- Reddick Does Another Year in Xfinity for RCR- Reddick could build another year of experience in the Xfinity Series. Remember, Reddick is only 23 years old and there is no reason to waste his career because he was rushed to the top level. This would be a safe route for Reddick and can help boost his confidence going forward.
Cole Custer
Xfinity Series Stats:
- Wins: 4
- Top 5’s: 27
- Top 10’s: 53
- Poles: 7
Custer is in his third full-time season in the Xfinity Series. He scored one win in each of the last two seasons and already has two wins this year.
Custer has strong support from team owner Gene Haas. Haas has sponsored Custer his whole career in the top 3 series starting in Truck Series in 2014. With the full support of Haas, Custer will not be going anywhere outside of Stewart-Haas racing.
Options For Custer in 2020
1. Custer Joins Stewart-Haas Racing in the Premier Series Next Year-With the uncertainty of the future of Clint Bowyer, Custer could be lined up to take the 14 car. With Haas Automotives being a sponsor for Bowyer, it could make sense for Custer to replace Bowyer after this year. After this year, Custer will have completed three full years in the Xfinity Series, so he will have plenty of experience.
2. Custer Does Another Year in Xfinity- Custer is only 21 years old. There is no rush for him to start at the top level just yet. He is two years younger than Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick. Another year in Xfinity would not hurt Custer as he does have a lot of time to get racing in the Premier Series. If Custer does not win the Xfinity Series Championship this year, it will give him another chance to take home the title.
Conclusion
Reddick and Custer are two great young drivers in NASCAR. They both have the potential to be stars at the top level of NASCAR. Whether their Premier Series careers start next year or the year after, they have plenty of time and talent to take over the racing world. These two drivers are just a small portion of the youth of NASCAR brings a bright future for the sport.
