MADISON, ILL.: Noah Gragson was just turning his career around when Stewart-Haas Racing officially announced it was shutting down operations at the end of the 2024 season.
After a lackluster start in the NASCAR Cup Series with Legacy Motor Club, Gragson, 25, found an environment where he could flourish.
While rumors ran rampant regarding the company’s status beyond this season, the actual notification to personnel was tough to take.
“Tony (Stewart) came in and explained to us, kind of the position that he’s in and where we’re at with the team.,” Gragson said. “He brought all the drivers together, then the crew chiefs and then brought the whole company together…When you hear those words from Tony, it’s a little different from seeing it on social media—when it’s a reality.
“So it was definitely an emotional day. I’ve only been at Stewart-Haas for five or six months now, but it was emotional for me. I know how much people have invested with their time and their careers at Stewart-Haas and being there for years upon years.”
Gragson didn’t internalize the event. Since coming to SHR, he has displayed his leadership skills and used the moment to rally the No. 10 team.
“It was definitely an emotional, challenging week for our organization but the goal still stands,” Gragson said. “I brought our team together and told them, ‘Hey, don’t burn a bridge. Don’t say something out of spite or whatnot and being frustrated.
“‘Today it’s going to be a challenging but I know how much this place means to all you guys. So that, and the goals still continue. Let’s work hard. The harder we work the better opportunity we have to build our stock as a team and have an opportunity in the future.
“We’ve got to put the blinders on and keep focused on this weekend at Gateway and next weekend at Sonoma. We can’t get caught up and wrapped up in drama.”
Despite the adversity, clearly, the Las Vegas native isn’t ready to throw in the towel. Although he competed in 21 races for Legacy Motor Club last season, Gragson’s third-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway in April was a career-best. His five top 10s with SHR in 2024, is more than his 39 previous starts combined.
Still, at the end of the season, Gragson will find himself starting over once again.
“Oh, it’s definitely challenging,” Gragson said. “It probably throws a wrench into what we thought in January. But I’ve been through my fair share of adversity and challenges in life and with that being said, it’s just another step in the process.
“I told Tony, ‘I’m extremely grateful and thankful for you taking a chance on me and giving me an opportunity to reinvent myself, reprove myself. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be in this position looking for opportunities.’
“So I wouldn’t say there’s much bitterness from me personally. I’m extremely grateful that Stewart-Haas gave me an opportunity to go out there and prove myself.”
Overall, Gragson’s stock is higher than it was a year ago. Even in better-than-average equipment he has been able to push his cars to their limits—and outrun his three teammates on a regular basis.
Not surprisingly, Gragson’s name has been mentioned as a possibility with all three manufacturers.
“We are looking for an opportunity to go out and win races in the Cup series next year,” Gragson said. “Where that home will be, I’m not sure yet.
“All I know I can do is stick to the fundamentals of things, keep focusing on what I can control—and that’s myself, my emotions, my race team, and going out there and trying to compete every single weekend.”
Gragson’s relationship with Bass Pro Shops could be beneficial as he navigates the free agent market. Regardless of the uncertainty and the stress that adds to an already pressure-packed environment, he knows that performance can ultimately tip the scale.
“I don’t know really what to think right now,” Gragson said of potential landing spots. “It’s all kind of super new. I’ve got great people around me, whether it be on the race track and off the race track, our team in the garage, my team away from the garage. There are a lot of great people that have got my back.
“So definitely looking for an opportunity to go out there and be a piece of the puzzle for an organization, help grow it and build it to become better.”
Follow Lee Spencer on Twitter @CandiceSpencer or email her at: [email protected].
