Noah Gragson has lastly put in a full NASCAR Cup Sequence season and has his ft again beneath him.
Gragson completed twenty fourth within the championship standings driving for Stewart-Haas Racing. The No. 10 group put collectively seven top-10 finishes and a mean end of 21.6. Alongside the best way, Gragson marked off tracks he had by no means beforehand competed on and signed a brand new deal — with Entrance Row Motorsports — for the 2025 season.
“I believe getting a chance for subsequent yr with every little thing going away, the objective was to simply get again on the map,” Gragson advised RACER about what he wished to get out of the 2024 season. “The primary objective was to get again on the map and present we are able to run competitively. With that being stated, it’s been a privilege to be on this alternative.”
Stewart-Haas Racing introduced the top of its tenure in Might. Gragson introduced his take care of Entrance Row in July.
Precocious success within the Xfinity Sequence opened the door to Cup for Gragson. Lesley Ann Miller/Motorsport Photos
It was Tony Stewart and Gene Haas who introduced Gragson again into the game. Gragson turned a sizzling commodity by profitable 13 races in 4 Xfinity Sequence seasons. Within the course of, he ran practically half a Cup Sequence season in 2022 with Beard Motorsports, Kaulig Racing, after which as an alternative driver at Hendrick Motorsports when Alex Bowman suffered a concussion.
Legacy Motor Membership employed Gragson for the 2023 season. Nevertheless, it solely lasted till late summer time when he was suspended by the group and NASCAR for liking an insensitive meme on Instagram. However his second probability got here with Stewart-Haas and Gragson has been placing his finest foot ahead ever since.
“I’m very grateful for Tony [Stewart] and Greg Zipadelli and everyone who has given me this chance over at Stewart-Haas,” Gragson stated. “It’s a bummer what everybody goes via however for myself personally, I’m not content material and I’m not glad with (what we’ve completed). However I’m assured to say I really feel like I’ve considerably earned a chance to race on Sundays.”
It was an up-and-down yr for Gragson and his group. At first of the season, Gragson appeared to hold the banner for Stewart-Haas with 5 top-10 finishes within the first 12 races. However because the season progressed, Gragson felt there have been rule modifications that hindered the group and areas the place he may have performed higher.
Gragson ended the yr the second highest Stewart-Haas driver within the total standings. Chase Briscoe led the best way by profitable the common season finale to earn a spot within the 16-driver postseason.
“However I believe my perspective and progress from final yr, I’ve seen enchancment personally,” Gragson stated. “There may be nonetheless an extended method to go, however I need to carry on rising.”
“I nonetheless trip the waves of the highs are good and the lows are low and get annoyed like anyone,” Gragson additional defined. “However to have the ability to have a nasty run the prior week and bounce again the subsequent week and put your self again on the map. Final yr … I don’t suppose we had an excellent run. Not one. It wasn’t enjoyable. I’m having extra enjoyable.”
Whereas not fully blissful along with his season in Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 10, Gragson did sufficient to persuade Entrance Row Motorsports he was the correct match for his or her increasing program. John Harrelson/Motorsport Photos
The enjoyable will proceed at Entrance Row. Gragson was the second driver confirmed for the group, which plans to increase to 3 vehicles for the 2025 season. The automobile quantity, crew chief, and companions for Gragson’s program are nonetheless unconfirmed.
Entrance Row is aware of it’s getting a proficient and likable driver in Gragson. Somebody they consider is marketable and may convey an excellent power to a race group. And for Gragson, he’ll convey expertise and a greater perspective.
“The folks that I met and the experiences we’ve had,” will probably be what Gragson takes into the long run. “Considering again 20 years down the highway of the place I used to be eventually yr and the way drastic my life has modified within the final 18 months to 24 months. From being on the highest of highs in Xfinity to the bottom of lows in my rookie season in Cup, and never even ending that out.
“However then to get a second alternative to come back again, and actually simply recognize the little issues. Respect the time you get to spend with the blokes within the hauler earlier than the race, and strolling out to driver intros. It’s all of the little stuff I’ll recognize in 20 years.”
