After Indefinite Suspension, Former Dale Jr Mentee Could Be a Lottery Ticket for Rivals Amid Tony Stewart’s Suffering

Where do the four Stewart-Haas Racing drivers stand after the organization’s closure? This burning question is making rounds after the co-owners, Tony Stewart and Gene Haas, decided to shut down their NASCAR racing operation. On one hand, the four charters are up for grabs by the team, but there are also the four drivers who are looking for their survival in the Cup Series.

Out of the four, Chase Briscoe is the most experienced campaigner and is touted to find himself a seat in one of the teams next season. However, Noah Gragson is also a prime candidate for the Cup teams to add more reinforcements to their driver’s lineup. He has arguably been the most consistent driver in the SHR ranks, and not to forget, he also has the backing of prominent sponsors.

However, it was during his four-season stay at JRM that he developed into a prominent driver. His run in the 2109 Xfinity Series driving for Dale Jr’s JR Motorsports was impressive, and a show of his prowess.

Noah Gragson could be a worthy addition to any team, credit to his stint with Dale Jr’s JRM

Gragson’s Cup journey has been filled with lots of bumps and roadblocks. In his rookie full-time season with Legacy Motor Club, the 25-year-old found himself on the bitter end of the stick, being involved in a major controversy. He was suspended by his team after liking an insensitive meme with a photo of George Floyd’s face. However, he did own up to his mistakes and served the suspension for the entirety of the 2023 season.

In his tough times, SHR took a bet on the driver and provided him with a full-time ride with their #10 team. But with SHR closing its racing operation, Gragson is once again on the hunt for a new team. One of the key factors that determines a driver’s future in the sport is the backing of a sponsor. Fortunately, Gragson has that covered with the support of Bass Pro Shop.

Moreover, he has punched above his weight in competing against some strong teams and drivers this season. With five top-10 finishes, he currently sits 21st in the standings, and had it not been for his 35-point penalty at Atlanta, he could be close to the cut-off line to make the playoffs. Prominent NASCAR journalist and insider, Bob Pockrass, via his X account, confirmed that the former JR Motorsports driver is expected to find a seat next season.

With four SHR charters up for grabs, teams that acquire these charters will need a driver to fill in. And as of now, Noah Gragson has made a strong case for himself to fill those potential seats. However, the same cannot be said for the other SHR drivers.

Josh Berry and Ryan Preece’s Cup future in serious doubt

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Josh Berry is running his rookie Cup season, replacing Kevin Harvick in the #4 car. Although he has taken time to settle into the new role, his recent performance has been strong. A P3 finish at Darlington and a top 10 finish at Coca-Cola 600. He was under contract with SHR for next year, but he will now need to look for a new ride, for obvious reasons. Unlike Gragson, he does not have the support of sponsors, and he is expected to be busy gathering support and talking to teams for his continued future post-2024 season.

On the other hand, Ryan Preece, who made his debut for SHR in 2023, now finds himself in a tough spot too. Statistically, he has been lagging behind his teammates in producing top-placing finishes or good runs. A P9 finish at Martinsville is the only bright spot of his otherwise stale journey in 2023. He finds himself in the 28th spot in the standings, and again, he could’ve been in a better spot if not for the 35-point penalty.

Meanwhile, the two Xfinity Series drivers, Cole Custer and Riley Herbst, will also look out for opportunities after the 2024 season. All in all, Noah Gragson seems to be in a better place comparatively.