There has by no means been a query of expertise in the case of the 25-year-old Las Vegas native, however making the most effective selections on and off the observe is one other matter.
Nonetheless, Gragson has at all times embraced his function as a character for NASCAR followers to observe and if he can convey that in addition to his finest on the observe to Entrance Row, the group believes it is going to be higher for it.
Gragson, who at the moment drives the No. 10 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, signed a multi-year deal this week to drive certainly one of Entrance Row’s three deliberate full-time entries within the NASCAR Cup Sequence subsequent yr.
Group proprietor Bob Jenkins mentioned he had his eye on Gragson as quickly it grew to become clear SHR was closing its doorways at season’s finish and its steady of 4 drivers can be obtainable.
“The factor I’m most happy with is simply the tradition (of our group),” Jenkins mentioned. “It’s a close-knit group and I believe the factor that Noah brings is only a new stage of pleasure.
“He’s simply received contagious power. Anyone that’s spent 5 minutes round him can see that. I keep in mind being at Talladega one time and seeing a man taking place the boulevard on a scooter. I’m like, ‘Who’s that man?’ That’s Noah Gragson.
“He’s simply a kind of, for no matter cause, folks simply relate to him, and he relates effectively with them.”
Noah Gragson, Stewart-Haas Racing, Bass Professional Outlets Winchester Ford Mustang
Photograph by: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Photographs
Gragson turned heads rapidly after successful twice in Truck Sequence and 13 occasions within the Xfinity Sequence, together with a runner-up end within the sequence standings in 2022.
His Cup profession has been extra haphazard.
He started his 2023 rookie Cup season with Legacy Motor Membership however was suspended by the staff and later NASCAR in August for violating the game’s code of conduct. He was reinstated later that yr.
In 59 profession Cup begins, Gragson has seven top-10 and two top-five finishes, most coming this season with SHR, together with his career-best end of third at Talladega.
“When the Stewart-Haas announcement was made, I checked out Noah and I assumed this can be a nice alternative to get a high quality driver, one that’s a bit bit out of the Entrance Row norm,” Jenkins mentioned.
“He’s not fairly as conservative as a number of the drivers we’ve had up to now.”
Till lately, Entrance Row has sometimes fielded skilled drivers and whereas the group has not historically competed on the stage of Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports, its drivers have been capable of money in on occasional victories.
A Tier 1 race staff
David Ragan, Chris Buescher and Michael McDowell (twice) have all gained races with Entrance Row, together with McDowell’s 2021 Daytona 500 victory. McDowell, 39, is shifting to Spire Motorsports in 2025.
With a brand new technical alliance with Group Penske that began this yr in addition to “Tier 1” assist from Ford Efficiency, Entrance Row hopes to take the following step in its improvement and is popping to form of a youth motion to gas it.
Gragson will be part of present Entrance Row driver Todd Gilliland – who’s 24 years-old – and one different driver that ought to be named inside the subsequent month.
Jenkins mentioned the ultimate driver will seemingly be somebody just like Gilliland and Gragson.
“I believe you’re going to have three younger however skilled drivers, that their youthful however they’ve gotten that first couple of years out of the way in which,” he mentioned. “I believe folks will have a look at Entrance Row Motorsports and say, ‘This can be a staff that could possibly be collectively for a very long time.’
“So, the factor I’m most enthusiastic about with Noah is that he’s not even actually hit his ceiling. He’s nonetheless rising on this sport and getting higher each week.
“I’m simply excited to see the place this all goes.”
