What a Year for Haas Automation-Sponsored Youngsters Drake, Custer
Haas Automation-Sponsored Drivers Capture USAC National Championships
A pair of young Haas Automation-sponsored drivers took top honors in United States Auto Club (USAC) Ford Focus Series competition in 2011.
Nick Drake, a 15-year-old sophomore at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, N.C., captured the 2011 USAC National Midget Ford Focus Series championship while Cole Custer, a 13-year-old eighth-grader at Ladera Ranch (Calif.) Middle School, earned the 2011 USAC National Midget Ford Focus Series Young Guns title.
For Drake, it was his second consecutive Focus Series national championship and is complemented by his 2011 USAC Midget Eastern Region Ford Focus title. He scored 13 national Focus Series victories in all this season.
"It’s been a pretty incredible season,” said Drake, who began his racing career in USAC Quarter Midgets at age 9 and has won multiple championships in Grands, Silver State, Fall Nationals, Disney, Brickyard, Region and North Carolina Quarter Midget Association competition over the years. “We raced hard all over the country this season and it took a lot of hard work and determination. So, getting the results that we did was definitely hard-earned, and also very cool. None of it would’ve been possible without the support of my family and all of our sponsors for giving us this opportunity, especially Mr. Haas (Gene Haas, owner of Haas Racing Development and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series).”
In addition to primary sponsor Haas Automation, Drake’s car received support from SEM, Bellwood Autobody, Johnsen’s, Creative Machining Technology, Autocrib and Machine Tools Supply.
Custer, meanwhile, earned his first Focus Series Young Guns title with 15 victories in 22 race starts. He also scored a pair of Focus Series overall wins in nine national event starts. He and Australian driver Brodie Kostecki finished tied atop the Young Guns points standings with 480 apiece, but Custer was awarded the championship by virtue of two more race victories on the season.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Haas Automation for making this all possible, and I’d like to thank Cory Kruseman, Rich Ruston and Troy Cline for all they’ve done to help me be a better driver and for giving me the equipment I needed to win this championship,” said Custer, who’s competed in USAC Quarter Midgets since age 5. “All the time I spent with Cory Kruseman at his (Sprint Car and Midget) driving school really paid off this year. Rich Ruston has been turning the wrenches on my car for five years and we have great chemistry. And what can I say about (team owner) Troy Cline? Everything he touches wins. We had a dream year with Haas Automation – the best machine tool company in the world – as our primary sponsor.”
“I’m proud of both of these boys,” Haas said. “Both of them performed at a high level all year. I really like when people make the most of an opportunity, and that certainly was the case this season for our young drivers. Nick’s second championship and Cole’s unstoppable performance made a powerful statement about their talent and competitiveness. Both drivers are true national champions as they competed and won in all USAC regions in the U.S., racing on both dirt and pavement. We salute them for their accomplishments in 2011, and we look forward to a bright racing future for both of them.”
