Why Noah Gragson Is the Right Pick for Tony Stewart’s Desperate SHR Image Refresh

After a dismal start to his Cup Series career in 2023 owing to his off-track behavior, Gragson had to bid farewell to Legacy Motor Club and his hopes of a solid start to this immense journey. But now that Stewart Haas Racing has given him a second shot, Gragson is wasting no time to channel his inner leader. With the 2024 season already giving us glimpses of what’s in store, one of the major themes for most drivers this season is redemption. From Carson Kvapil winning the CARS Tour season opener to help JR Motorsports rewrite last year’s result to Kyle Busch aiming at a historic Daytona 500 win after two decades, most drivers have a lot to prove this season. And for Noah Gragson, that prospect could not be any truer.

Noah Gragson is turning into an ideal leader after battling major hurdles throughout 2023

We all know that the pressure is piling up for Stewart Haas Racing. Kevin Harvick and Aric Almirola’s departure not only left SHR with a lot of work to do, but many sponsors also pulled the plug. At the end of it all, Tony Stewart has managed to put together a squad of young talent that aims to restore SHR’s glorious image to what it was in the Harvick days.

While Josh Berry is aiming to test the waters in his rookie season, the pressure is far greater on Noah Gragson. With rumors of Bass Pro Shops returning as a sponsor for Gragson, the young driver has a lot riding on his shoulders both on the sponsorship as well as the championship front. However, all the adversity that Gragson had to face last year could have only made him a better individual, and more importantly, a leader.

While the consequences for Gragson’s career seemed fairly negative when Legacy Motor Club decided to part ways with him, it also led to a journey of self-reflection that has prepared him for the obatacles this season could throw at him. Even in Stewart Haas Racing’s latest behind-the-scenes video of the Clash, Gragson showcased just why he’s the right pick to turn things around at SHR.

Having a great time with the crew at the Santa Monica Pier, Gragson reflected on the biggest hurdle ahead of SHR as they entered a season filled with doubters. He stated, “There is going to be adversity and challenges, but it’s how you react to those and keep everyone motivated as the leader for our team. It’s important for me to have those relationships develop and have strong relationships with every team member of our group.”

READ MORE: After Dismal Clash Outing, Can Josh Berry Redeem SHR’s Image at the Daytona 500?

While Gragson’s mindset before the Busch Light Clash showed nothing but great promise, there may be a short-term stumbling block in the way of the young driver becoming a leader. If we take a look at the Busch Light Clash result, Gragson is evidently feeling the pressure.

Can Gragson bounce back from a disappointing Clash at the Coliseum finish?

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During the 2024 Clash at the Coliseum, there were teams like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports that clearly had the upper hand. What was also visible was Stewart-Haas Racing and its missed opportunities. Chase Briscoe single-handedly carried the team into the top ten with a seventh-place finish, with Ryan Preece following close in eleventh. However, the replacements of Harvick and Almirola were nowhere to be found.

Josh Berry failed to make the feature and Noah Gragson concluded a dismal outing for SHR with a 20th-place finish. While Gragson felt it was majorly down to the lack of communication within the team that shall build over time, it added an element of pressure that will once again test his skills. And while many other rookies in Gragson’s position would buckle under such pressure, the man blessed with a second shot is prepared for the worst.

The 25-year-old shared with Fox Sports, “Everything helps when you’re running good, right? With that being said, it’s one of those things where I do feel a little pressure. We do need to run good. Not for any reason in particular but as a whole everything gets better when you’re running good.”

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While the results aren’t speaking for themselves yet, we must remember that it is only the start of the season. If Gragson can keep up his level-headed mindset and continue to build on the relationships within the team, there will be no room for miscommunication in the future. But do you think change will come in time for Tony Stewart and SHR to rebuild their fading image?