Stewart-Haas Racing has kept everyone on tenterhooks about who’ll be in the driver’s seat of their No. 10 car, stepping in for Aric Almirola. The rumor mill’s been in overdrive, and it seemed like Noah Gragson, last season’s Cup rookie who parted ways with his team, Legacy Motor Club in August, has been leading the pack. But now, it seems the cat’s out of the bag.
NASCAR on Reddit’s recent post on X featuring Noah Gragson has fans convinced that Gragson’s next chapter is penned with Tony Stewart.
Stewart-Haas Racing yet again goes for another oddball driver
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The latest buzz, sparked by a NASCAR tweet, suggests Noah Gragson might be the newest addition to the team of mavericks. The evidence? A snapshot of Gragson at the SHR office, with the victory board of Kevin Harvick as the backdrop.
Weird place for @NoahGragson to stand (via u/Natural-Dragonfly381) https://t.co/U1OfuTY4hM #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/e6GV7sWEzQ
— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) December 5, 2023
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) seems to have a knack for picking the wild cards in the driver lineup. They have a history of giving second chances to drivers on the brink of a comeback or those who’ve been biding their time, itching for a shot at the big leagues with top-tier Cup Series gear. This strategy has often paid off, with many drivers hitting their stride and having breakout seasons under the SHR banner.
Think of Kurt Busch and Clint Bowyer, who both found a second wind with the team. Aric Almirola, too, notched up two wins and made all his Playoff appearances with SHR after a six-year stint with Richard Petty.
The upcoming SHR lineup has that same eclectic vibe. Ryan Preece, a hard-grafting driver who’s clawed his way up, and Josh Berry, stepping into Harvick’s shoes in 2024, are testament to that. Gragson, with his rollercoaster career, including a recent suspension and reinstatement by NASCAR, fits right into this pattern. He’s a driver brimming with untapped potential.
However, Gragson’s biggest challenge could be nailing down sponsorship, especially with Smithfield exiting. It’s a tightrope walk, balancing sponsor support post-suspension and securing the necessary funding for 2024.
In the racing world, some things, like sponsorships and partnerships, are just beyond control. What can be steered, though, is performance – and Gragson has shown he’s got what it takes. His track record in the Xfinity Series speaks volumes: eight wins in 2022, a total of 13 over four seasons with JR Motorsports. That’s a tough act to follow, even for Josh Berry, who clinched three wins in the same season.
Here’s hoping Gragson’s transition to the Cup Series will see him soar rather than stumble, filling the void in Tony Stewart’s team with his own brand of racing flair. And that’s a sentiment echoed by his fans, who are all eyes and ears for what comes next in his journey.
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NASCAR fans are all abuzz with anticipation for Noah Gragson’s new chapter with Tony Stewart
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The moment Gragson’s snapshot hit social media, fans were quick to express their excitement at spotting him in the SHR office. One fan humorously reminded everyone about the times Noah threw up after the race, by saying, “I’m ready for the barf bag redemption tour.”
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Noah Gragson finished third today.
He threw up inside his helmet after stage 2 after holding his breath while racing Alllmendinger.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/uXC7vdzwnx
— Daniel McFadin (@danielmcfadin) August 6, 2022
“All but confirmed now,” one fan noted, echoing the sentiment that the picture said it all. Another fan couldn’t contain their enthusiasm, cheering “Hell yeah! NG!” One fan was struck by the overwhelming support for Gragson, remarking on the flood of emotional reactions: “People crying is crazy in the comments Noah is coming to SHR baby.”
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Meanwhile, another eagle-eyed fan was piecing together another part of the puzzle, musing, “I guess we know who the crew chief is.” And, capturing the anticipation of many, a fan pointed out, “Now, we’re just waiting on pins and needles for SHR to make it official.”