Noah Gragson bids for charity auction in support of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his wife Amy’s fundraising efforts, making headlines after attempting to secure Chase Briscoe’s race-worn gloves and sharing his comedic disappointment online. This charity event, aimed at benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital, brought together drivers from the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series at Atlanta as part of the ‘Driven to Give’ initiative.
Drivers Rally Behind Earnhardt Jr. for Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Amy organized the auction with the purpose of raising money and awareness for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, attracting support from notable competitors like Ryan Blaney and Noah Gragson. A total of 70 drivers took part during the Atlanta race weekend, donning gloves inspired by Earnhardt Jr. Each pair was worn during the respective races, autographed by the driver, and then also signed by Earnhardt Jr. before being listed for auction.
Noah Gragson notably became a focal point by entering the auction for Chase Briscoe’s signed gloves. Unfortunately for Gragson, Briscoe’s gloves were eliminated in the early round of bidding, preventing him from making a successful bid. Gragson’s lighthearted reaction was shared with fans via social media.
“Whoever is out bidding me just stop. I need the glove that got knocked out of the bracket in the 1st round.” —Noah Gragson, via Instagram Story
The comic element of the auction continued when Gragson ended up purchasing his own autographed gloves, humorously suggesting he would have them signed by Briscoe. While Chase Briscoe’s race-worn glove set attracted higher bids, Gragson took it all in stride, highlighting the friendly competition among drivers in support of the charity.
Gragson’s Playful Antics Continue at Pocono
At the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono, Noah Gragson finished in 23rd position, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe captured the victory. Following the race, Gragson drew attention with a jest about Briscoe after fans noticed Briscoe’s receding hairline, revealed once he removed his helmet.
This playful dig came as a surprise to many, since Briscoe, usually seen in a cap, had not previously shown such a change in appearance. Gragson quickly used the opportunity for another quip.
“He’s super excited for the offseason coming up, because he’s going to Turkey to get that hairline fixed.” —Noah Gragson, in a recent interview
Chase Briscoe has yet to address the comments publicly. Prior to his Pocono win, he suffered a DNF at the Atlanta race, but remains ranked tenth in the current NASCAR Cup Series standings with a confirmed playoff spot. Gragson, representing Front Row Motorsports, is currently 33rd in the Cup rankings. He finished 25th at Atlanta and is set to compete again next weekend at the Chicago Street Course.
Significance of the Driven to Give Campaign
The ‘Driven to Give’ campaign, organized by the Earnhardt couple and sustained by the generosity of NASCAR drivers, stands as a testament to motorsports’ commitment to charitable causes like Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The lively rivalry and camaraderie displayed by Noah Gragson and Chase Briscoe not only bring attention to the auction but also encourage greater participation and contributions. As the NASCAR season continues, fans and competitors alike will likely see more examples of drivers supporting each other—and important causes—on and off the track.
