2024 was a rocky year, to say the least, for Noah Gragson. First, it was the high of getting into a team as Stewart-Haas Racing snapped him up. Then came the low. With the team announcing the end of its operations, Gragson was forced to face a challenge, finding another team. Fortunately, Front Row Motorsports gave him a shot, and Gragson is taking one part of his SHR team to his new home.

Given that Gragson will be starting his stint very soon with Daytona in February, official details are now coming out about who he will be paired up with and the car number. His crew chief will be none other than Drew Blickensderfer

Gragson is to be paired up with Drew Blickensderfer 

He has accounted for a total of 75 career starts and to add to that, has also achieved eight career top-tens and two top-five finishes. If Stewart Haas Racing had continued its operations, Gragson would have certainly secured yet another full-time season. Unfortunately, as fate would have it, the young driver had to change teams. However, it is not only Gragson who is making an entry to Front Row Motorsports. Along with him, there is also Drew Blickensderfer who will be joining as the crew chief. 

Speaking of his relationship with Blickensderfer, Gragson said, “Really excited to just fire back off for another year after building team chemistry together. Last year starting the year off in 2024, you know Drew and I are not new to each other….right after that we hit it off and Drew has been so much fun to work with. He has been a big brother to me and he’s somebody I can always turn on.”

Blickensderfer has been a Cup Series crew chief for more than 16 years now. For the 2025 season, the partnership is all set to make a comeback after a solid run in 2024. The duo achieved 16 top-15 finishes, seven top-10s, and one top-five. Blickensderfer’s return to FRM brings back memories of his central role in guiding Michael McDowell and the No. 34 Ford Mustang. Under his leadership, he was able to lead McDowell toward the memorable Daytona 500 victory during his 2021 tenure with the team.

It is not only Blickensderfer, who will be joining FRM. Members like interior specialist Chris Trickett, engine tuner Matt Moeller, engineer Dillon Silverman, and transport driver Matt Murphy will be joining the team. Speaking of the same, Gragson said, “We have got some other team members and they are coming over, so we are super excited. It’s been an unbelievable, rollercoaster, emotional and challenges handed over in the year for myself and all the employees and to be able to keep some great great guys and girls that work on the car to be able to move over now to the car at Front Row, it’s really exciting and I can’t wait to battle”. 

Blickensderfer has also opened up about his feelings about embracing the new role. He said, “I’m excited to be back with Front Row Motorsports. I had a great experience working for Bob (Jenkins) and Jerry (Freeze) before, and now returning alongside Noah makes this opportunity even more special”. With Gragson and Blickensderfer reuniting at FRM alongside a strengthened team, the 2025 season promises a fresh chapter of determination and potential for Front Row Motorsports.

Gragson to drive the iconic No. 4 car for Front Row Motorsports 

Trending

1

Richard “The King” Petty’s Iconic Memorabilia Set to Shine at Donald Trump’s Inaugural Parade

2

Amid FedEx’s Shock Exit, Denny Hamlin Rewarded With a Surprise Gift by Joe Gibbs’ Loyal Sponsor

3

Iconic Rock Band’s $65 Million Reality Check Bursts Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s ‘Hate’ Bubble

4

Daniel Suarez and Wife Offer the Wallace Couple to Relieve Them of Their Parenting Duties

5

Kyle Busch Makes an Honest Admission Behind Disheartning Chili Bowl Slip-Up

The No. 4 car has a very well-known history when it comes to the world of NASCAR. The legacy of the car goes back to the inaugural season in 1949 when drivers like Frank Mundy, Don Cecchini, Otis Martin, and Bill Rexford drove the car. Even drivers like Kevin Harvick and Rex White have each accounted for a Cup Series victory in the same car number. 

While Harvick accounted for the victory in 2014, White won in 1960. Harvick, who retired after the 2023 season, remains the most successful driver of the No. 4. He has accounted for a total of 37 victories, while White has for about 16 wins. Some of the drivers other than those who have driven the No.4 are iconic drivers like Sterling Marlin, Ernie Irvan, Bobby Hamilton, and Kasey Kahne. Even recently, Josh Berry drove the No. 4 car for Stewart Haas Racing in 2024 and closed the Cup Series season for the team before formal closure. 

The move of the No. 4 from Stewart-Haas Racing to Front Row Motorsports signifies more than a simple number change. It is the beginning of a new season indeed. Whether FRM can uphold its legacy is yet to be determined. When Josh Berry took the number while driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, he only managed two Top 5 finishes in 36 races. 

However, one thing goes without saying, the No. 4 is iconic indeed. However, pairing up with Gragson and the crew chief Blickensderfer, the 2025 season has indeed become much more exciting.