By Jerry Jordan, Editor
LONG POND, Pa. – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Noah Gragson will sit out the scheduled race today at Pocono Raceway after being treated for the third time in two days at the infield medical care center, a family representative confirmed.
Gragson, who is a contender for the 2018 Truck Series Championship after winning at Kansas Speedway, drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports. A decision on who will replace him in the No. 18 Safelite Auto Glass Toyota Tundra is imminent but is expected to be Erik Jones.
Before visiting the care center Saturday, Gragson got out of his truck on pit road and slumped against the pit wall. He was taken by medical personnel to receive care, which included IV fluids. Gragson is said to be suffering from a virus and had also received an IV on Friday at Pocono Raceway.
“Noah Gragson has been treated and not cleared to return to racing activity at this time,” said NASCAR spokesperson Mike Forde.
He has been granted a playoff waiver, NASCAR confirmed, and he will be able to contend for the championship.
Gragson declined to be interviewed upon leaving the care center and heading back to the garage area on a golf cart.
Unable to race today in Pocono due to Doctor not clearing me to race. If it were up to me, I’d be in my @safelite Tundra. I tried everything in my power to race. Thanks to everyone who supports me in my career. I feel like I’ve let everyone down. But respect NASCARs decision.
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) July 28, 2018
VIDEO: @NoahGragson leaves the infield care center at @poconoraceway & will not race @NASCAR_Trucks today. #NASCAR has granted a medical waiver for playoffs. pic.twitter.com/IwN2LuvPIr
— Jerry Jordan (@JerryJordan_KTT) July 28, 2018
KBM released the following statement regarding Gragson and a replacement driver:
Noah Gragson was evaluated by NASCAR for a stomach virus and not cleared to return to racing for today’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. Erik Jones will replace Gragson as the driver of the No. 18 Safelite Auto Glass Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in today’s event.