Noah Gragson Journey: Noah Gragson found himself amid a storm of controversy during his rookie NASCAR Cup Series season, hitting a low point after being suspended from the sport.
Midway through his campaign, Gragson faced a suspension from both Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR on August 5, 2023, following an incident involving his liking of an offensive Instagram post. Subsequently, the 25-year-old parted ways with his team, casting uncertainty over his future in the sport.
Forced to complete NASCAR’s mandated sensitivity training (RISE), Gragson undertook the reinstatement program in early September and recently reflected on his experiences and learnings.
“I was quite frankly uneducated and just ignorant,” Gragson told. “Ive had a lot of conversations with a lot of different people, put in a lot of time and effort to learn and understand things that I just didnt know anything about.”
Reflecting on the tumultuous past months, Gragson viewed the RISE program as a transformative experience. “The RISE program, they really took me step-by-step and allowed me to ask questions about things that I didnt understand,” he emphasized. “Five years from now, whenever from now, this will be one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Crediting the program for pushing him towards being more educated and open-minded, Gragson expressed gratitude. “To be able to educate myself and learn, to become more open-minded, and I really was so closed-minded, selfish and didnt really take time to understand what other people were going through or their situations,” he acknowledged.
Admitting that the program reshaped his work-life balance and instilled better habits, Gragson remains focused on applying these changes in his daily life.
Reflecting on his time with Legacy Motor Club, where his rookie season ended abruptly, Gragson, who piloted the #42 Chevy for 21 starts with an average finish of 28.2, pointed out the organizational atmosphere wasn’t the right fit for him.
“We had all the pieces of the puzzle but we just couldnt put them together,” Gragson reflected. “I could have applied myself better and there were areas where the whole company could have been better, right? I dont know that there was one thing that made it not work out but Ive learned through this process that maybe this atmosphere might not have been right for me and the things I need.”
Acknowledging the need to become a better leader, Gragson emphasized, “But I also needed to be a better leader, step up and overcome whatever things a team might be faced with, and I think I understand better now what it means to be a leader.”
Regarding his future in NASCAR, rumors suggest Gragson might step in to replace the retiring Aric Almirola at Stewart Haas Racing.
Our Reader’s Queries
Who represents Noah Gragson?
Gragson has recently inked a multi-year agreement with Stewart-Haas Racing to take the wheel of the No. 10 starting in 2024. The deal was sealed on December 13, 2023.
Where is Noah Gragson from?
Noah’s impressive track record speaks for itself. According to team co-owner Tony Stewart, he has consistently excelled in every competition he’s entered and has frequently found himself in the running for championships. This is precisely the type of driver that Stewart-Haas requires, which is why we are thrilled to have Noah on board as a member of our team.
Is Noah Gragson a good driver?
Stewart-Haas Racing has confirmed that Noah Gragson will be making a comeback to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024. The talented driver will be taking over the team’s No. 10 Ford in a multiyear agreement, marking a significant milestone in his career. Gragson’s return to the sport’s top circuit comes after an abbreviated rookie season, and fans are eagerly anticipating his comeback. With this exciting news, Stewart-Haas Racing is poised to make a strong impact in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series.
