Noah Gragson had an incredible final season with JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Xfinity Series after winning eight times and coming up just short of a championship. However, this success has not translated well to the NASCAR Cup Series.
Gragson currently drives the No. 42 car for Legacy Motor Club and sits 33rd in the point standings as the worst full-time driver. The 25-year-old driver has a best finish of 12th place at Atlanta Motor Speedway, two top-20 finishes, and a 28.2 average finishing position.
There are several factors behind Gragson’s struggles but this has cast doubt over whether he will be given a second season with Legacy Motor Club in 2024. Will the former JR Motorsports driver who showed so much promise be given another chance in the No. 42 car?
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Noah Gragson’s status at Legacy Motor Club remains up in the air with a switch to Toyota in 2024
Gragson is currently in his rookie season in the NASCAR Cup Series and Legacy Motor Club’s impending switch to Toyota Racing for the 2024 season has hurt his performances. Quite frankly, the entire organization has been performing well below expectations, including Erik Jones who is 28th in the point standings.
The driver of the No. 42 car came to the NASCAR team at an unfortunate time so the performances are not completely his fault. Still, Gragson has been struggling on a weekly basis and it could come at a cost with Toyota coming into the picture at Legacy Motor Club.
According to The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi, Gragson could leave the NASCAR organization with Joe Gibbs Racing driver John Hunter Nemechek replacing him in the No. 42 car. Toyota is high on Nemechek and this would allow him to return to the Cup Series.
Nothing has been determined at this time and Gragson still might return to Legacy Motor Club; however, it is obvious that improved performances need to be on the way. He was very good in the No. 16 car for Kaulig Racing at Michigan International Speedway before a wreck last season so this weekend would be a good starting point.
Obviously, Gragson has the talent and personality to become a star in NASCAR for years to come. It is hard to win eight races in a single NASCAR Xfinity Series season and not be a talented driver primed for victories in the future, especially after being successful at every previous level of NASCAR.
However, the organization switching to Toyota may not give Gragson the longevity he expected in the No. 42 car. If he were to leave Legacy Motor Club, there are open rides in the Cup Series that make sense. In fact, Kaulig Racing seems like a logical fit.
Noah Gragson’s career Cup Series stats (39 starts): 0 wins, 1 top-5 finish, 1 top-10 finish
The No. 31 car is open after Justin Haley’s shocking move to Rick Ware Racing as a full-time driver starting in 2024. While the organization has been linked to Austin Hill, there is an argument for Gragson due to his past experience and success with the team.
It remains to be seen if Gragson returns to Legacy Motor Club in 2024 but the idea of Nemechek driving the No. 42 car is not one that many expected at this time last year. If Gragson improves over the next few weeks, it might help his job security and status for other rides in the Cup Series.