A month ago, on December 14, Stewart-Haas Racing raised the curtains, rubbishing the speculations circling the #10 Ford Mustang’s prospect. Xfinity star Noah Gragson was appointed to pilot the American muscle on the ovals of NASCAR. However, his move to SHR came with a plethora of unanswered questions, and why not, after all, Gragson doesn’t have a storied Cup Series career to be seated in an SHR car.

As time passed and Gragson’s gearing up for the 2024 season, he couldn’t help but let loose some lesser-known insider facts about his unanticipated move under Tony Stewart’s mentorship.

Noah Gragson feels his switch to SHR is the right environment for him

Noah Gragson’s Cup Series career encountered an unexpected start as his first shot in 2021 at the Daytona 500 with Beard Motorsports ended on an eliminating note. Adding to it, his 2023 season was ruined owing to his suspension from NASCAR. So, luck wasn’t favoring him. Amidst all this, his move to SHR came as a shocker, of course, and some questions were yet to be answered.

Taking center stage and settling the queries, Gragson opened up during the NASCAR Live podcast, about how long the information about his unexpected transfer was kept hidden from the fans. Gragson replied, “Kind of a blurry 4-5 months as far as timeline goes just because you know, we were working so hard and doing a lot of things. So timeline, [was] a little bit of a blurred on how everything went by months and we sprinkled in some racing in there and doing just all my work away from the track. It probably was about a month or two before you guys have heard anything about it publicly or officially I should say.“

It’s safe to say that SHR kept the community in the dark regarding the transfer for somewhere around two months. Gragson unveiled the behind-the-scenes of how the off-track preparations were going. However, the 13-time Xfinity Series race winner didn’t stall at the hidden secret and unraveled his poised attitude toward the newly signed team.

Gragson laid down his belief in the team as he unraveled one of the reasons behind signing the contract and said, “Speaking with Tony and Gene [Haas], and everybody involved over there I felt like it’s a right fit for me. I’m fortunate for the opportunity, very grateful, and excited to see what we can do because the past month of being there, it’s been a really good environment for me. I’m really enjoying what Stewart-Haas has to offer.”

Read More: Major Setback as Tony Stewart & Co. Decide to Shut Down a Racing Team

Noah Gragson is enjoying his time at SHR and looks prepared to showcase his skills on the ovals. But the question that prevails is what made Tony Stewart go for Gragson when many drivers were at his disposal? Well, let’s hear it from the owner himself.

Tony Stewart unravels the rationale behind handing over SHR’s fourth seat to Gragson

Trending

NASCAR Insider Reveals ‘Business Issues’ Behind Losing $25 Million Deal With Denny Hamlin’s 19-Year Partner

Kevin Harvick Boldly Forecasts a Major Blow to Rick Hendrick & Co.’s Championship Hopes in Kansas

“He Was Caught Red-Handed”- Fans Insinuate Joe Gibbs & Co. Cheating NASCAR After Bizarre Bristol Find

Jeff Gordon Puts Kyle Larson as Top Contender for Motorhome Life, Despite $5.5 Million Worth Asset

“Won’t Be Watching Anymore”- Displeased Fans Take Issue With NASCAR After Shocking Reversal on Kyle Busch’s All-Star Antagonist

“Noah deserves to be in the NASCAR Cup Series,” were the words of SHR owner Tony Stewart when he unveiled the brains behind opting for Gragson over other available drivers. However, the legendary NASCAR racer had more to say about it.

During the team’s press conference, Stewart stood by his decision to sign the Xfinity prodigy and reasoned by saying, “Noah has performed at every level where he’s competed and has regularly been in championship contention. That’s the kind of driver we need at Stewart-Haas and that’s why Noah is a part of our team.”

Gragson will be kicking off his debut stint on February 4, with SHR, on the asphalt of Los Angeles, for the Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum. 

Watch This Story: Noah Gragson Opens Up About The Second Opportunity Given to Him by Tony Stewart

Stewart’s confidence in Gragson is evident from his words. But what’s not evident is the community’s trust in the driver, who’s faced misery in his recent NASCAR career. Do you think Gragson would be able to slam the naysayers with a dominant display in the #10 Ford?