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NFL
Gragson Says Cup Struggles Have Changed Him
TL;DR
Noah Gragson's transition to NASCAR's Cup Series has been challenging, with no victories since moving up from the Xfinity Series. After a suspension in 2023, his performance has struggled, with limited top finishes across multiple teams.
Key points
- Noah Gragson won eight races in the Xfinity Series.
- He was suspended in 2023 for liking a racially insensitive meme.
- Gragson has struggled to be a victory contender in the Cup Series.
- His best finish in the Cup Series was 12th place.
- He has only one top 10 finish in the first 10 races of the current season.
Noah GragsonLegacy Motor ClubStewart Haas RacingFront Row Motorsports
Gragson Says Cup Struggles Have Changed HimJacob Kupferman - Getty Images
Four years ago, Noah Gragson was the toast of the then Xfinity Series, winning eight races and executing celebrations after each victory that delighted the fans, but then he moved to NASCAR’S Cup Series in 2024, and everything changed.
Gragson hasn’t been a victory contender since joining NASCAR’s primary series, first with Legacy Motor Club, then Stewart Haas Racing and now Front Row Motorsports. After 22 races with Legacy in 2023, Gragson was suspended indefinitely by the team and NASCAR for liking a racially insensitive meme on Instagram that mocked George Floyd’s death. Legacy stated Gragson’s action violated team values. Gragson requested his release from Legacy so he could focus on his NASCAR reinstatement process. His best finish that season was 12th in the first Atlanta race.
The following year, Gragson joined SHR. His lone top five occurred in the April Talladega race. In 36 races, he had only seven top 10s. Last year, his first season with Front Row Motorsports was even worse. Once again, his lone top five came in the spring Talladega race. However, he produced only three top 10s in the season’s 36 events. This year, in the first 10 races Gragson has only one top 10 and, again, it occurred in the April Talladega race.
It’s a change that Gragson says has taken a toll on his personality.
Sean Gardner - Getty Images
“I’ve learned to just not go out there and show my personality as much as I can because people have lost that privilege,” Gragson said. “Everybody has an opinion, and if you’re winning, you’re OK. It’s when you’re not winning that it’s a firestorm and people want to just point and say, ‘It’s this, this, and this.’ Well, you never said any of that stuff when I was winning races, so what’s the difference now?”
Gragson says those closest to him know his work ethic and his passion for the sport.
Q&A
What led to Noah Gragson's suspension in 2023?
Noah Gragson was suspended indefinitely for liking a racially insensitive meme on Instagram that mocked George Floyd's death.
How many races did Noah Gragson win in the Xfinity Series?
Noah Gragson won eight races in the Xfinity Series before moving to the Cup Series.
What has been Noah Gragson's best finish in the Cup Series?
Noah Gragson's best finish in the Cup Series has been 12th place in the first Atlanta race during his time with Legacy Motor Club.
How has Noah Gragson's performance changed since joining Front Row Motorsports?
Since joining Front Row Motorsports, Gragson has only achieved three top 10 finishes in 36 races, with his best results coming in the spring Talladega race.
