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The NASCAR report: Could Vegas test session mean more for Cole Custer than we assume?

Trey Campbell
The NASCAR report: Could Vegas test session mean more for Cole Custer than we assume?
Is Cole Custer ready to make the jump to the Cup? Stewarthaasracing.com

This week at Las Vegas Motor speedway, The NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series will hold a two-day test session.  While there will be a number of drivers there including Kasey Kahne, Brad Keselowski and Darrell Wallace Jr, the name that brings the most intrigue is NASCAR Xfinity driver Cole Custer. He will be behind the wheel of the number 32 Can-Am Ford owned by long time Crew Chief Frank Stoddard and former Go Green Racing owner Archie St. Hillare. While it may seem like just another young driver getting a chance to get some extra laps in a cup car in preseason, this particular combination stands out more than the others. Could this paring mean that there is a new alliance forming between Go Fas racing and Stewart-Haas? Logistically, it makes sense seeing how Custer has been heavily touted as the next young driver to move up to Cup. (plus, his father Joe Custer is the executive Vice President for Stewart-Haas racing) If he is to move up to the Cup series this season more than likely he would be running a partial schedule until a car is available at Stewart-Haas (which is likely seeing how they signed Kurt Busch for only one year) Could this mean that Cole Custer could drive a few races in Cup this season and replace Kurt Busch in 2019? It all just seems to come together perfectly. While Go Fas racing already has two drivers lined up with Matt DiBenedetto and Joey Gase, if there is one thing I know about NASCAR it is that nothing is ever absolute and if a smaller team like this one can partner up with a powerhouse like Stewart-Haas, I think that they would show one of those two drivers the door in favor of Custer in a heartbeat. Overall, I think that it would be a shame to see another accomplished veteran lose his ride to another younger driver who brings more sponsorship dollars, but in the end, at least Custer has had success in both the Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series. he has able to contend for wins each week. In fact he was one lap away from possibly making the championship four this year in the Xfinity series so it's a relief to see someone with a good bit of talent get to move up even if he does have connections within the Stewart-Haas racing team.  It will be interesting to watch all of these possible storylines play out here in the coming days as race fans gear up for the Daytona 500 in mid-February.

 

 

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Houston Astros get a reminder, and maybe a wake-up call

The Astros are looking to avoid being swept at home. Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros are looking to avoid an unexpected sweep Wednesday night as they wrap up their three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park.

Winners of six of their last ten despite back-to-back losses, the Astros (55-37) turn to left-hander Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15 ERA) to steady the ship and salvage the finale. Walter has been reliable in his recent outings, and he’ll face a Guardians lineup that has struggled to string together hits, batting just .204 over their last 10 games.

Cleveland (42-48) entered the series on a 10-game losing streak, but now has a chance to sweep the AL West leaders and take the season series. Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56 ERA) gets the start for the Guardians. The 26-year-old righty has kept his ERA under 4.00 this year and will look to neutralize a Houston offense that leads the American League in batting average at .260 and is hitting .295 over the last 10 games.

All eyes remain on Jose Altuve, who has driven in 16 runs and slugged four homers over his last 10 games. He’s been the heartbeat of the Houston offense, while Isaac Paredes continues to deliver steady power at the top of the lineup. The Astros have scored five or more runs in eight of their last ten games, but the bullpen faltered late in both of the first two games of this series.

Cleveland counters with the steady presence of Carlos Santana and the always-dangerous Jose Ramirez. Though Ramirez is just 6-for-38 in his last 10 games, he’s delivered key home runs in the series and remains the Guardians’ biggest threat.

With the season series now 3-2 in favor of Cleveland, Wednesday’s matchup carries added weight for the Astros as they look to regroup and avoid letting momentum slip further. First pitch is set for 8:10 p.m. ET.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -144, Guardians +121; over/under is 8 runs

Astros lineup for the finale

What stands out? First off, Jake Meyers returns to the lineup after missing a couple of games with a calf issue. With Meyers back in the two-spot, Cam Smith returns to hitting cleanup. Caratini is playing first base again and hitting fifth, followed by Yainer Diaz (C), Cooper Hummel (DH), Taylor Trammell (LF), and Mauricio Dubon (SS).

 

  Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.

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