“Never Knew How Realistic It Was”: Noah Gragson Dissects His Turmoil-Filled Rise Through NASCAR’s Ranks

Unsurprisingly, the love for fast cars has inspired drivers in every generation. In America, NASCAR has allowed young and budding race car drivers to live the dream of speed and success. For Stewart-Haas Racing‘s Noah Gragson, the journey has been nothing less than a rollercoaster ride. Having had his ups and downs recently, he has finally landed himself a spot on the powerhouse list of the competition.

A few months ago, no one would have expected Noah Gragson to be a prime candidate for Aric Almirola‘s No. 10 Ford. Recovering his lost reputation and sensitizing after a difficult suspension by NASCAR, Gragson is ready to return with all guns blazing. His motivation to prove himself in the Cup Series has coincided with SHR’s desire to return to the peak of its powers. Continuing on the theme of showcasing the team’s core values, Tony Stewart and Co. have returned with a series of their drivers’ success stories.

Noah Gragson thought of Cup Series racing as a distant dream

Moving from the grassroots divisions to the premier competition, the Cup Series is a time-taking process. On the other hand, the competition is so intense that many drivers fail to make it to the Cup Series despite racing in a national NASCAR competition throughout their career. Having shone in every stage of his NASCAR dream, it was only a matter of when and not why for Noah Gragson. Legendary drivers like Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson have been in charge of the driver, and he has surely learned a lot from them.

“Getting to the Cup Series has always been the dream,” claimed the 25-year-old star. “Without all those people’s hard work, my family, close friends, and all the fans, I don’t know if I could’ve done it. But the passion inside me, wanting to win races and be there with my team, there’s no better feeling than standing on top of a race car.”

For Noah Gragson, speed and success have been the goal all along; just like Kenny Wallace said, NASCAR was reminiscent of the American dream.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have moments throughout my career of having those opportunities and being in those positions to be on top of world. It’s a lot of fun. As a 13-year-old kid, I knew the dream was there, but I never knew how realistic it was. I’m grateful and thankful for everybody’s hard work. I’m at a loss of words when thinking about it. It’s been a journey and quite the privilege.”

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Further, he spoke about his journey to the very top of the NASCAR pyramid, voicing his thankfulness. Crediting team owners for providing him with a platform to showcase his talents, Noah Gragson is not shy about expressing his gratitude wholeheartedly.

Gragson’s ascension to Cup Series

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Compared to fellow SHR teammate Josh Berry, Noah Gragson has trod a different path. While Dale Earnhardt Jr at JR Motorsports put them into the spotlight, Berry has already spent five more years than Gragson in his quest. The No. 10 driver, on the other hand, fumbled his chance at continuity in the Cup Series. After an unexpected turn of events following an insensitive action on social media, Legacy Motor Club had to let him go.

Since then, he has been preparing for a comeback as a driver and a human. Sending his flowers to the organizations and people that helped him shape his career, Noah Gragson added, “As a 13-year-old racer, I got my start in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Bowl Ring in the Bandoleros.”

“I always had the dream and the passion to be able to one day hopefully make it up to the top 3 levels of NASCAR. There’s been a lot of great people who have supported me and have been there throughout the whole way. My family along with the Hanley family in Bandoleros, moving up to Legend Cars with Dustin Ash, racing in the K&N Series with Jefferson Pitts Racing up until the Truck Series with Kyle Busch Motorsports and then into Xfinity with JR Motorsports.”

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Noah Gragson has a huge burden on his shoulders, with Stewart-Haas Racing hoping for a turnaround of fortunes. Entering a new era in 2024, hopefully, the team and Gragson can resonate well to produce results worthy of a Cup Series powerhouse.