Fake Reports Debunked as Jimmie Johnson Refuses to Fire Dale Jr’s Pride, HMS Masterplan Falls Apart

Legacy Motor Club driver Noah Gragson will be lamenting about the recent events that have taken place. In the past few days, there has been a conundrum in the NASCAR community over the sensitive topic of discussion. While NASCAR and Legacy Motor Club have indefinitely suspended him for his actions, not many events could have differed from how things are going.

Well, one man’s loss is another man’s gain. The Jimmie Johnson-owned outlet may just become an example of that, as it looks like they have already found a replacement for Gragson for the next two races.

Seeking out driving talent outside of NASCAR, the team has found its new driver in a domain where Hendrick Motorsports has already left its mark this year. But despite the reports that have suggested that Gragson will be off the roster for good, it doesn’t seem to be the case.

Legacy Motor Club insider dismisses rumors over dropping Noah Gragson

Contrary to previous reports by The Athletic journalist Jordan Bianchi, a team representative from LMC reveals that the news about Gragson being released by the team has no substance to it. Clarifying the situation, he said,

“The report in The Athletic that we have parted ways with Noah Gragson is untrue, he has not been released from LEGACY [MOTOR CLUB], Mike Rockenfeller will drive for the next two weeks at Indy and Watkins Glen. Noah [Gragson] is suspended indefinitely by NASCAR so we will have to identify drivers to compete in the No. 42 in the interim. NASCAR will determine the timeline when Noah can return to the sport. We are working with Noah and his representation through this process.”

Considering their well-known dynamic with Jimmie Johnson’s new driver, Hendrick Motorsports will watch the situation closely. Their plans of seeing international talent like Rockenfeller take up a full-time seat will not come to fruition with the latest statement by LMC. With Rockenfeller taking up the role of a stopgap replacement for the out-of-favor Gragson, Legacy Motor Club will look at how the situation around the issue unfolds and will announce their decision accordingly on a later date.

Why did Legacy Motor Club choose Mike Rockenfeller to take Noah Gragson’s seat in his absence?

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Earlier this year, NASCAR entered the world’s most prestigious endurance-based race, 24 Hours of Le Mans. In making this possibility a reality, the three leading organizations of NASCAR who chimed in were HMS, Goodyear, and Chevrolet. HMS wanted NASCAR to shine on an international platform to generate more interest from outside.

After suspending Gragson, Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club hired a new driver, a multiple-time winner at Le Mans, Mike Rockenfeller. As you would remember, Mike Rockenfeller was one of the drivers, alongside Jimmie Johnson and Jenson Button, at the helm of NASCAR’s Garage 56.

HMS has played a huge role in reuniting the sport with Rockenfeller having partnered him with Jimmie earlier this year. Prior to this, the pair raced together a few times in 24 hours of Daytona.

Read More: NASCAR’s Only Undefeated Driver Prepares for Denny Hamlin’s Ultimate Test to Secure His Future

Jimmie Johnson suspending Noah Gragson will hurt Dale Earnhardt Jr

The announcement, just before the Cup race at Michigan, took the community by shock. One of those people also happens to be JR Motorsports owner and NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two-time Xfinity Champ has been a huge supporter of Gragson in his days of racing with JRM. Last year, Gragson delivered the goods with the team and made a transition to the Cup Series as a rookie.

Dale Jr has been a big proponent of his talent and from time to time, has expressed his pleasure over being able to avail the services of Gragson.

As for the 25-year-old’s fate in the Cup Series, it remains to be seen what dialogues or decisions follow next after his indefinite suspension from racing in NASCAR. His Xfinity counterpart Josh Berry replaced him at Michigan and for the races left, Rockenfeller will be given a chance to prove his mettle in the #42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet.

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