•Custer, McReynolds On Program Roster For 2014-2015
ROSEVILLE, Calif. (April 25, 2014) – Bill McAnally Racing drivers Cole Custer and Brandon McReynolds have been named to the NASCAR Next program.
They were among 12 drivers NASCAR announced for the program’s 2014-2015 class during a special press conference today at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.
NASCAR Next is an industry initiative aimed at spotlighting NASCAR’s rising stars and bolstering fan recognition around talent that will grow into NASCAR Sprint Cup Series mainstays. Drivers in the program will have the opportunity to participate in special media events and promotional activities.
Custer – a 16-year-old from Ladera Ranch, Calif. – drives the No. 00 NAPA AUTO PARTS/HAAS Automation entry in select events in the East and West divisions of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series this season and also competes in a limited schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. McReynolds, 22, of Mooresville, N.C., is behind the wheel of the No. 16 NAPA AUTO PARTS Toyota while contending for this year’s championship in the K&N West.
“We are honored to have these two BMR drivers selected for the prestigious NASCAR Next program,” said BMR President Bill McAnally. “We have had some very talented drivers represent BMR over the years and we consider that Cole and Brandon are among the best.”
As a 15-year-old rookie in the K&N East last year, Custer captured two wins, two poles and finished eighth in the overall championship standings. He kicked off his 2014 effort by winning the K&N West season opener at Phoenix International Raceway in February, along with notching his second pole award there. Custer made his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series with a 12th-place finish at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway in March. He is the son of Stewart-Haas Racing Executive Vice President Joe Custer.
After making two K&N West starts for BMR last year, McReynolds returned to run the full schedule this season. Overall, he has two top fives and four top 10s in four series starts – along with a pole award at Irwindale (Calif.) Speedway last month. In addition, he has three top fives and eight top 10s in 14 K&N East starts. His resume also includes a win in an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards event at Talladega Superspeedway in 2012. He is the son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chief and current race analyst with FOX Sports Larry McReynolds.
Drivers selected for the NASCAR Next program race in a NASCAR touring or weekly series – NASCAR K&N Pro Series East or West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series or NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors also are eligible providing they are in the first full-time season in their respective series.
Former NASCAR Next driver, Chase Elliott, is having a record-breaking rookie season driving the No. 9 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.