Stewart Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart believes Noah Gragson has become a better driver after the controversial 2023 Cup season. This year marked Gragson’s full-time Cup debut with Jimmie Jhonson’s Legacy Motor Club before he quit the team amidst a poor rookie season after getting a suspension.
NASCAR and Legacy MC suspended him for an indefinite period for liking a social media post that was racially insensitive. After completion, he was forced to undergo sensitivity training and was reinstated by the sanctioning body. Gragson now has a chance to redeem himself, as he is set to drive the No:10 Stewart Haas Racing Ford in 2024, replacing Aric Almirola .
The team’s co-owner, Tony Stewart, sees a silver lining in the suspension as he believes this has given Gragson the time to grow as a person. Stewart pointed out that Gragson had already proved himself on the Xfinity Series and had transformed into a driver better than he had ever been.
Obviously, his talent behind the wheel we don’t need to explain that the stats show it with what he did in the Xfinity Series. Literally, his transformation into who he is as a person now I think is going to make him an even better race car driver than he’s ever been. Stewart told SHR.
Tony Stewart praises Noah Gragson’s talent and motivation
Stewart went on to highlight the talent, motivation, and drive Gragson now has gone into his redemption season next year. He claimed that Gragson could do great things by channeling the energy from his personal growth to the track.
He’s got the talent, he’s got the motivations, he’s got the drive, and now he’s got focus on his personal life, and how to channel that energy into positive things, so I think we’re going to see a lot of great things out of him.
Going into the 2024 season, the task at hand will be big for Gragson. The SHR garage has struggled in 2023, and next year will be a rebuild for the team. The youngster will be under pressure to rebuild both the team and his career next season.
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