“He’s a Dark Horse” — Embroiled in Controversy, Exiled Driver Garners Support From NASCAR Insider

2023 hasn’t been the best of years for many on the grid. One among them is the 25-year-old Noah Gragson. Facing suspension from NASCAR and his team in the mid-season, his engine sputtered to a stop in the back of an already disappointing rookie year. An insensitive social media post involving George Floyd which Gragson had “liked” put him on the blacklist and led to his exit from Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club.

But as always, time works like a charm. Weeks have passed since and Gragson has served his punishment. As he looks set to make his comeback to NASCAR once again, a NASCAR insider has voiced that the youngster will be the “dark horse” who could gain the affection of fans in the future.

NASCAR insider backs Noah Gragson to fulfill the wise words of racing legend Jeff Gordon

Not many drivers have owned the rights to being the most popular driver for consecutive years. Earlier it was Dale Earnhardt Jr and more recently, it has been the 2020 champion, Chase Elliott. Should time and fate favor him, it could very well be the young Noah Gragson on that mantle in the future. 4-time Cup Series champion and the Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, had recently talked about the importance of drivers acquiring a likable personality.

Taking the legend’s words as a base, Large, the host of “Rubbin is Racing” podcast, said, “Jeff Gordon had mentioned this week how drivers need to develop more of a personality to get people, you know, to follow them in particular. […] I think like, maybe if Noah winds up back in somewhere that makes sense. Going from Kevin Harvick to maybe a young kid like Noah Gragson… unproven, but I think you’re going to get to see him for a long time, as long as he stays off social media. Maybe he’s a dark horse, you know.”

Large’s words come at a time when the former Legacy Motor Club driver is being heavily linked to Stewart-Haas Racing. Tony Stewart’s outfit will potentially be out two drivers (Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola) next year. With Stewart finding only one replacement so far, Gragson’s reinstatement to NASCAR couldn’t come at a better time.

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Noah Gragson could get a shot at overcoming the controversies of past and creating a new image for himself

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Second chances and groundbreaking redemptions aren’t new in NASCAR. Back in 2020, Kyle Larson was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended by NASCAR after he used a racial slur on an online gaming stream. The following year, he was hired by Rick Hendrick for the #5 car and we all know the outcome of that story. Reclimbing the ladder, the driver today has the admiration of millions.

In all likelihood, we might see a similar learning curve from Gragson, too. After he undertook diversity and inclusion training with “Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality,” the driver’s reinstatement was announced last month. In the aftermath, he said, “I am now more focused and committed than ever to representing my future team in the best way possible. I’m eager to get back behind the wheel and compete at the highest level, giving it my all on and off the track. Thank you to everyone who have been a part of this journey, and I can’t wait to make the most of this second chance.”

Since getting back behind the wheel, Gragson has been racing in some local track events. While it was expected that he would have to go back to the lower tiers of Xfinity or Truck to prove his worth, the news of him being linked to Stewart-Haas Racing comes as a surprise. If at all, the move falls through and he ends up replacing Aric Almirola in the #10 car, it might be the opportunity of his lifetime. Let’s hope he follows in the footsteps of Larson and becomes a dominant Cup Series force in the future.

Read More: Subdued Noah Gragson Racks Best Season Finish a Month After Bitter Jimmie Johnson Humiliation