Noah Gragson’s Confidence Fuels Exciting_ In the early stages of the NASCAR Cup Series season, Noah Gragson and his No. 10 Ford team have emerged as the shining stars of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), showcasing remarkable consistency that both driver and team are embracing with open arms.
Despite currently sitting in 26th place in the standings, Gragson’s position is somewhat deceptive. A hefty 35-point penalty incurred by the team for unapproved roof air deflectors found on his car at the Atlanta race has skewed his standing. Without this setback, the 25-year-old Las Vegas native would be comfortably placed in 15th, a testament to his solid performances on the track.
With a pair of top-10 finishes already under his belt and a strong showing in Sunday’s race at Phoenix, where he ran in the top 10 for most of the day before settling for 12th after a final long green-flag run, Gragson’s confidence is soaring. This newfound assurance is not only a personal victory for Gragson, who faced adversity last year with a suspension by NASCAR, but also a boost for SHR, which has grappled with performance issues in recent seasons.
While teammates Ryan Preece and Josh Berry have encountered difficulties at the start of the season, Gragson and Chase Briscoe have demonstrated that SHR is making significant strides forward.
“We will keep going and keep learning. Every race. Every weekend. It is still early. It is the fourth race,” Gragson remarked optimistically. “We ran inside the top 10 for most of the day and it is kind of a bummer, but it is exciting to be good and to be disappointed with an 12th-place finish.
“That is exciting for our team. We want to keep it going.”
For Gragson, the move to SHR in the offseason has already proven to be a source of renewed energy and positivity. Bonding well with his new team and crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, Gragson credits them with bolstering his confidence.
“I have a lot of faith in Drew and the rest of these guys. They have been really good for me in building my confidence,” Gragson expressed. “We are a tight group and I have these guys’ backs.
“It is always a lot of fun when your stuff has speed, and you can show up and commit your hands and drive into the corner hard. Briscoe was good all day and had a good charge there at the end.
“It is a lot of confidence coming to the race track compared to what I had last year at this time.”
Despite only his second career series start at Phoenix, Gragson was among the drivers who found the new short track aero rules, debuted in Sunday’s race, to be a positive change.
“For me, this thing drove super good compared to what I have had in the past here. I don’t know if it was the package last year or what. You probably have to ask some more experienced guys, some guys that ran up front in both races,” he reflected.
“I felt good with it. I felt like we could move around a lot and the tire was good. It was a fun day.”
Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”)
Did Noah Gragson drive for KBM?
In 2017, Noah Gragson clinched victory at the Winchester 400, showcasing his prowess on the racetrack. His tenure with KBM culminated triumphantly in 2018 with a win at the Snowball Derby, where he valiantly held off Ty Majeski for the prestigious title.
What car is Noah Gragson?
Stewart-Haas Racing unveiled on Wednesday that Noah Gragson will make his return to the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024. Gragson will pilot the team’s No. 10 Ford under a multiyear agreement, marking a significant milestone in his racing journey following an abbreviated rookie season.
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