Haas Factory Team has yet to make any announcements about its two-car Xfinity program, but the team says there is "no lack of interest" from potential drivers.
"I'm pretty excited about our Xfinity program," Haas Factory Team President Joe Custer said Saturday. "I'm going to brag on it a little bit. We started a few years ago, naturally, and Kevin Harvick and Cole (Custer), that first year helped us build it, and Richard Boswell and there's a number of people that were instrumental.
"But when you look at what it has produced -- three people, maybe four in the Cup Series -- I'm not sure statistically since we started that there's a more successful program that's delivered more drivers to the Cup Series. That has resulted in no lack of interest in our cars next year."
The current Stewart-Haas Racing lineup features Cole Custer in the No. 00 and Riley Herbst in the No. 98. Cole announced Saturday that he will drive Haas Factory Team's lone Cup entry in 2025, so that already leaves one seat open in Xfinity.
Custer said that the team has made an offer to Herbst for him to return to one of the Xfinity cars for 2025. However, the Las Vegas native is examining his opportunities across all of the national series, which includes a potential move to Cup with another organization.
One driver linked to Haas Factory Team is Hailie Deegan, who recently parted ways with the SHR-affiliated AM Racing. Custer confirmed that the team has already spoken to Deegan, but he had nothing to announce.
"We believe there's more in her, and we want to be part of that, but that's for future conversations," Custer said.
As the team president explained, all options are on the table regarding drivers. It could be a current Xfinity driver. It could be a Cup driver who goes back to Xfinity. Custer knows that Haas Factory Team just has to put race-winning cars on the track.
Continuing to win races in Xfinity ties into the other priority for Haas Factory Team. Custer noted Saturday morning that the team's technical partners in Xfinity had some concerns about the future level of performance.
Stewart-Haas Racing supports multiple teams, such as AM Racing and RSS Racing, something Custer anticipates will continue with the transition to Haas Factory Team.
In order to fully support these teams, Custer knows that Haas Factory Team's Xfinity drivers have to win races so the organization can provide leadership and data.
"We've got to put cars in the winner's circle, we've got to sort out our equipment because our business model is reliant on having technical partners to keep the program healthy," Custer said.
"If we don't win, and if we are not a leader at the track, then our other teammates -- the Sieg's, etc. -- they find it hard to believe that we can deliver the kind of data and leadership that's necessary for them."