By Seth Eggert, Associate Editor
CONCORD, N.C. – Although the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season will mark another new team for Noah Gragson as he joins Front Row Motorsports, it will also be the start of a sense of stability for the Ford Performance driver.
Since 2022 Gragson has driven for six different teams between the NASCAR Xfinity Series and Cup Series. He was full-time in Xfinity with JR Motorsports and driving part-time in both the Beard Motorsports and Kaulig Racing entries. Gragson then filled in Alex Bowman when he was sidelined by a concussion. In 2023 the Las Vegas, NV native joined LEGACY Motor Club before a late-season suspension ended his tenure.
2024 marked a revival for Gragson at Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR). The 25-year-old earned his best career finish, third at Talladega, and six top-10 finishes so far this season. However, with SHR shutting down at season’s end, Gragson is being forced to move once again.
The journeyman driver believes that he has found a home with a multi-year deal at Front Row Motorsports. A part of the belief is rooted in the fact that Gragson will be able to build and maintain relationships with his crew members throughout his tenure at the team.
“I think just from a young age (while bouncing around from team to team) has taught (me) loyalty in people, and Bob and Jerry have given me an opportunity,” Gragson admitted. “I do feel like there’s an opportunity to grow as a leader, as a driver, on and off the racetrack, and having that stability. I’ve jumped around from JR Motorsports in 2022 to LEGACY last year and at Stewart-Haas this year, Front Row next year, that’s four teams in four years.
“To be able to come into the race shop after a year under my belt and already know the employees names January 1 (of 2026) and build relationships, have those built, that’s important to me and I think you fire off way better than you did the first year. Having the opportunity for a multi-year deal and being able to make the place my home. I could be at Front Row my whole career and that’d be great to be able to have that, that stability and that support from the group there.”
Team owner Bob Jenkins pointed to Gragson’s success throughout NASCAR’s ranks as what drew him and team General Manager Jerry Freeze to Gragson. The fan favorite driver has 13 Xfinity and two NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wins. He also has three Championship 4 appearances, two in Xfinity and one in Truck competition.
“Noah is a guy who has been successful on every level of racing he’s ever been in and we’ve just watched him grow over the last couple of years in the Cup Series,” Jenkins said. “We believe he’s just starting to scratch the potential of what he can do.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of Ford and Ford Performance and just the partnership that they’ve given us. Without being a tier one Ford team, we could never, ever think about signing a driver like Noah and just so excited to see what we can do together with Ford Performance and with Noah.”
The move also puts Gragson in a tier one Ford Performance team. Front Row Motorsports is still working to fill spots on the team, including future crew chiefs. Gragson’s crew chief, as well as the future teammate to him and Todd Gilliland at the three-car team will be announced at a later date.
“We’ve got some holes to fill still with Noah’s team,” Freeze admitted. “We’re pretty close on figuring out who the crew chief is and some of the main parts of it. Touching on Noah, we’re just excited to have him join our group and having the partnerships that we can bring to the table, and new relationships to be forged over the year. I’m excited to have him here. He’ll be with Front Row on a multi-year deal.”
Currently Gragson sits 23rd in the points standings, 318-points behind leader Kyle Larson. He is also 168-points below the playoff cutline, currently held by fellow Ford driver Chris Buescher.
Next for Gragson is the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway. In two starts at ‘The Tricky Triangle’ in the Cup Series, he has a best finish of 22nd. Gragson has one victory at the 2.5-mile track in the Xfinity Series in 2022.
The Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway is scheduled for Sunday, July 14 at 2:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.