“These Guys Want Alternatives Too”: Noah Gragson Lets Slip Potential Houses for Tony Stewart’s Disgruntled Staff Amid FRM Signing

Noah Gragson turned the current [third] Stewart-Haas Racing driver to discover a NASCAR Cup Sequence seat for 2025. With Chase Briscoe piloting Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 19 Toyota at Joe Gibbs Racing in 2025 and Josh Berry changing Harrison Burton at Wooden Brothers Racing, it was only a matter of time earlier than Gragson adopted go well with. The 25-year-old might be becoming a member of Entrance Row Motorsport in a multi-year deal, reuniting with Todd Gilliland, who was his teammate on the now-defunct Kyle Busch Motorsports.

With Stewart-Haas Racing ceasing operations on the finish of the season, Noah Gragson is hoping his colleagues from the crew can be part of him at Entrance Row Motorsports as properly, because the crew is trying to rent a crew for Gragson’s automobile.

Gragson is hoping the Stewart-Haas Racing crew joins Entrance Row Motorsports

With the proficient crew at Stewart-Haas Racing on the lookout for their subsequent transfer in NASCAR, alternatives appear plentiful at Entrance Row Motorsports, particularly now that Noah Gragson has been signed and a 3rd driver might be introduced at a later date. Whereas Gene Haas has saved one of many crew’s charters and can run a one-car operation subsequent season, there might be loads of backroom workers and pit crew who might be deemed redundant. Noah Gragson is hoping that they get alternatives together with his new crew.

Talking on SiriusXM NASCAR radio, when Noah Gragson was requested for particulars about his future crew chief, sponsors, and automobile quantity at Entrance Row Motorsport, the 25-year-old replied, “There’s positively loads of stuff within the works, nonetheless issues we simply have to, you already know, work out, however the primary objective was to get the chance accomplished and a deal signed with Entrance Row.

“Who’s going to crew chief it with Drew Blickensderfer and the group of 10 guys we now have at Stewart-Haas, clearly with them closing doorways on the finish of the 12 months, all these guys want alternatives too. There’s positively alternatives for all that, nothing is finalized but so far as the automobile quantity, sponsors and who the crew goes to be.”

Whereas particulars about Gragson’s crew chief, sponsors, and automobile quantity are unclear, we do know some insights, because of Bob Pockrass’ dialog with Entrance Row Motorsports co-owner Jerry Freeze. A tweet by the Fox Sports activities journalist learn, “He doesn’t count on crew chief Travis Peterson to return to FRM (as I’ve mentioned, count on him to hitch Spire with McDowell). On automobile numbers, he mentioned not set on 34, 36, and 38. Engaged on a brand new one. Present store to deal with Cup crew; truck operation to relocate.”

With Travis Peterson becoming a member of Michael McDowell at Spire Motorsport, it leaves the crew chief place broad open. If Gragson had his alternative, his crew chief from Stewart-Haas Racing, Drew Blickensderfer, would observe him to Entrance Row Motorsport. The veteran has established a powerful rapport with Gragson, providing a relaxing presence and a commanding management high quality for the younger driver. In line with Jerry Freeze, Blickensderfer, who was additionally McDowell’s crew chief for 3 years, is in competition for the function at Entrance Row Motorsport.

Signing Noah Gragson signifies a shift in technique for Entrance Row Motorsport, who’ve gone for veterans up to now, or promoted from inside, as they did with Todd Gilliland from the Truck Sequence program three years in the past. As one in every of Ford’s high supported groups within the Cup Sequence, giving Gragson a multi-year deal is a transparent indication that the crew is trying to construct on their current success, however making certain the 25-year-old feels at residence in his new environment would imply bringing over his crew from Stewart-Haas Racing as properly.

Right here’s why Entrance Row Motorsports went for Noah Gragson, per Bob Jenkins

Gragson rose to fame after profitable twice within the NASCAR Truck Sequence and 13 instances within the Xfinity Sequence, ending runner-up in 2022. Within the Cup Sequence, the 25-year-old has seven top-10 and two top-five finishes in 59 begins, with most of them coming this season at Stewart-Haas Racing, underneath very tough circumstances. With all issues considered, it’s no secret that Entrance Row Motorsports went for the Las Vegas native, particularly contemplating that he has managed to get some first rate outcomes with very restricted sources this season.

Talking to Claire B. Lang on X, Bob Jenkins shared his insights in regards to the purpose Entrance Row Motorsports went for Noah Gragson. He mentioned, “Only a large alternative. When the Stewart-Haas announcement was made, I knew this was an awesome alternative to get a top quality driver, individual, he’s not as conservative as a number of the different drivers we now have had up to now. And the followers. He’s one of many high drivers on the market and in solely two years. I believe he’s very relatable for followers and so they reply to him.” Jenkins went on to say, “He (Gragson) so appreciates being part of NASCAR and loves his alternative. And I really feel the identical approach.”

With Michael McDowell leaving for Spire Motorsports subsequent season, Noah Gragson could have some large sneakers to fill. McDowell gained the Daytona 500 in 2021, incomes a playoff spot, constructed that up with extra constant performances the next 12 months, and gained his second race at Entrance Row Motorsports in 2023.

Nevertheless, regardless of Entrance Row turning into a Tier 1 Ford-supported crew with a technical alliance with Group Penske, McDowell hasn’t fulfilled the expectations regardless of having a quick automobile. Bob Jenkins will hope Noah Gragson is ready to make use of a aggressive automobile in a extra structured and long-term setup, giving the driving force some much-needed stability that he hoped Stewart-Haas Racing would give earlier than the crew determined to close down on the finish of the season.

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