"I’m very grateful for Tony Stewart" - Noah Gragson looks back on SHR opportunity ahead of 2025 season with FRM 

With his first proper full-time season in the Cup Series now behind him, Noah Gragson this week thanked his former team owner while also expressing gratitude for his place in the sport. Earlier this year, Gragson confirmed he'd be driving for Front Row Motorsports in 2025.

This came after Stewart-Haas Racing announced that the organization would close shop at the end of 2024. Gragson, who was given a second chance at NASCAR's highest level by Tony Stewart's team, had to thus find a new home.

His first full-time season in 2023 was with Legacy Motor Club. Notably, he was suspended midway through the season for a sensitive online interaction. Gragson was then brought back to the Cup Series when SHR signed him for 2024 at the end of the season.

Reflecting on his time at SHR, Noah Gragson said (via racer.com),

"I’m very grateful for Tony Stewart and Greg Zipadelli and everybody who has given me this opportunity over at Stewart-Haas. It’s a bummer what everyone is going through but for myself personally, I’m not content and I’m not satisfied with (what we’ve accomplished). But I’m confident to say I feel like I have somewhat earned an opportunity to race on Sundays."

As for what he wanted to accomplish in 2024, Noah Gragson said his goal was to just "get back on the map."

He also said that on a personal level, he has seen an improvement in himself, even though there is still "a long way to go." He added,

"I still ride the waves of the highs are good and the lows are low and get frustrated like anybody. But to be able to have a bad run the prior week and bounce back the next week and put yourself back on the map. Last year … I don’t think we had a good run. Not one. It wasn’t fun. I’m having more fun."

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When Noah Gragson opened up on meeting FRM leadership amid his search for "stability"

Following his announcement as FRM's driver for 2025, Noah Gragson commented on the "exciting times" in his career. He said that based on his season in 2023, he didn't have faith in himself whether he'd be able to run in the Cup Series.

Speaking in July this year, he said he was able to get his feet underneath the table thanks to the SHR, which "definitely opened people's eyes." Gragson added (via NASCAR.com)

"With the challenges that have come about with Stewart-Haas, we were looking for a home for a long time, and that’s when I got introduced to [co-owners] Bob (Jenkins) and Jerry (Freeze)."

Noah Gragson also looked back on his NASCAR career upto that point, as he "jumped around" teams, from JRM in 2022, to Legacy in 2023, to SHR in 2024, to FRM for 2025.

He added,

"Bob and Jerry have given me an opportunity so I do feel like there’s opportunity to grow as a leader, as a driver on and off the race track and having that stability."

The former SHR driver remarked that being able to sit down with Jenkins and Freeze and getting to know their goals and vision, which centered around growing "each and every year" stuck out the most to him.