NASCAR driver pays a visit to Thomas Jefferson Elementary

NASCAR driver Cole Custer is used to being bombarded by questions from the press, but the third graders from Thomas Jefferson Elementary School took it to the next level. These amateur reporters weren’t messing around either. They hit him with about 30 questions at a time, and they just had to know one thing:

Who is your favorite “Mario Kart” character?

It’s Toad, in case you are wondering.

Custer paid a visit to Newton students on May 15 for a brief Q&A session. He talked about how racing has been a part of his life ever since he was 5 years old. By third grade, he told Newton News he was competing in quarter midget racing. He kept driving go-karts until he was about 13 years old.

Questions about “Mario Kart” aside, Custer was asked several questions about his career as a professional racecar driver. They wanted to know how he got into racing and the hardest parts about his job. Kids had a genuine interest, and it was exciting for Custer to see how passionate they were.

“I think that speaks to how passionate people here in Iowa are about racing, too,” Custer said. “You see the passion when you go out to the racetrack and see how packed the stands are. It’s really cool to see them today and answer some questions and have them have a cool experience.”

By the time kids are getting ready for the new school year, Custer will be back in Newton to compete in the second NASCAR Cup Series at the Iowa Speedway. After a successful debut last year, the Iowa Corn 350 Powered By Ethanol will make return on Aug. 3 at the Newton racetrack. Custer is ready.

“I think the biggest thing, from a racing standpoint, is how the track has changed from last year,” he said. “The pavement now has another year on it, so it’s figuring out how that changes things. And also the fans. There is such a crazy weekend with how packed everything is and seeing the passion from everybody.”