Aaron Kramer is lastly getting the seat he is aspired to land—atop the pitbox as the brand new crew chief for Cole Custer’s entry within the 2025 NASCAR cup season. Kramer has lengthy been within the racing scene, most lately having labored as lead race engineer for Chris Buescher and the no. 17 staff. Previous to that, he joined RFK in 2016, and has labored on the Cup-side of issues since 2019. Additionally within the combine is expertise with Okay-Automotive Motorsports, Arrington Racing Engines, and Penske Know-how Group the place he offered wind tunnel assist and working the 7-post rig for Group Penske’s NASCAR and IndyCar packages.
“Aaron’s engineering pedigree and his historical past with RFK Racing are nice belongings for Haas Manufacturing facility Group. We’re proud to have him be a part of our staff,” mentioned Joe Custer, president, Haas Manufacturing facility Group. “NASCAR, and the Cup Collection particularly, has change into very engineering-driven. Restricted monitor time and the nuances of the NextGen automotive have put a premium on simulation and information, and to actually maximize all that info, you want individuals who can apply that info to the automotive and work intently with the driving force to fine-tune the automotive. Aaron is that individual, and we’re assured he can construct a staff of like-minded individuals who may have our race staff able to go for 2025.”
“It is a nice alternative and I’m very grateful for it,” mentioned Kramer in a launch from the staff. “I’ve been working towards the crew chief place since I used to be racing go-karts in highschool. It’s a proud second to have it include Haas Manufacturing facility Group. Their alliance with RFK makes the educational curve rather less steep as a result of I’m very accustomed to the folks and processes at RFK.
“Having Cole as the driving force is a large asset. He’s extremely motivated and devoted to his craft. He places within the time away from the monitor in order that he’s prepared each time he climbs into the racecar. That’s what you need as a crew chief. We’re going to push one another and assist one another to get one of the best outcomes doable.”
Cole Custer, Stewart-Haas Racing, Haas Automation Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Pictures
Custer, 26, is returning to the Cup Collection after a two-year hiatus. He received the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Collection title and is already locked into the 2024 playoffs.
In Could, Stewart-Haas Racing [co-owned by Tony Stewart and Gene Haas] introduced that they might be closing the four-team Cup operation at season’s finish. Nonetheless, Haas determined that he would proceed to area one Cup and two Xfinity groups in 2025. Custer was the plain alternative for the Cup collection, and never simply due to his father Joe and his place as president of the newly named Haas Manufacturing facility Group.
Together with successful final yr’s Xfinity title, Custer is already a confirmed winner within the Cup Collection, taking the checkered flag at Kentucky Speedway in 2020. He’s fairly happy with the staff’s choice to nominate Kramer to the position of crew chief.
“I’m very blissful to have Aaron be a part of Haas Manufacturing facility Group,” mentioned Custer. “Crew chief is a vital piece within the make-up of a race staff and Aaron brings lots to our program. His background will actually be a plus for me and our entire group. Each of us nonetheless have jobs to do that yr, but it surely’s reassuring to know that he’ll be my man on prime of the pit field subsequent yr.”
