By: Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
Friday’s ARCA Racing Series pole from Pocono Raceway was one scene in a developing movie that is Noah Gragson’s racing career.
From his first Camping World Truck Series win last fall at Martinsville to a heartbreaking crash at Dover and his first XFINITY Series starts in 2018, Gragson has been a student of the sport that seems to be changing as quickly as himself.
Just two years ago, the 19-year-old had no experience in the Truck Series, having just a season of K&N West action under his belt along with late models. Now, the Las Vegas native has 32 Truck starts including two wins and five poles along with two top fives in just three XFINITY races.
Not to mention, his time in the national NASCAR limelight has come with two of the best teams yet, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing.
“Being in those fast Toyotas, whether it be Trucks, XFINITY, ARCA, I think I learned to let the race come to me,” Gragson said. “Not try to make chicken salad out of chicken [explitive].”
Gragson’s time in XFINITY has increased his level of discipline, as he has learned when to push to issue during the race.
“I feel I’ve knocked that out of my system making those stupid moves,” he said. “I need a rebound when I’m sitting in the hotel room. I need that flip of a switch and change over because I have an XFINITY race the next day. If I fight from adversity, I can overcome that in the blink of an eye. That really helped my confidence and it’s showing here lately.”
Part of that flip of a switch is Gragson’s crew chief. Gragson was partnered with championship-winning crew chief Rudy Fugle, making 2018 a true show-them-what-you-got season.
“I really wanted to make the most of this year,” he said. “Not that I didn’t make the most of last year, but I’m going the extra mile this year. Whether it’s knowing what to look for in the heat of the moment. I’m just trying to be better myself.”
One way Gragson has grabbed beyond his reach this year is through the realm of sports psychology. Gragson began working with a sports psychologist at the start of 2018 and the time has broadened Gragson’s sense of awareness beyond the cockpit.
“I did a two-day course with him, some other drivers go to him,” he said. “He taught me more about myself than I ever knew. Not even behind the racecar, just about myself and how to be a better person. Whether it’s picking up a piece of trash or saying hi to a fan or being more organized. That’s really helped me this year.”
The outside influence comes in good time, as Gragson’s maturity has begun to set in while his career kicks into high gear.
“I’ve been growing up age-wise, getting wiser I guess,” he said. “I’ve grown up a lot the past year and really the start of this year. I knew I had a good opportunity with Rudy Fugle, I know he’s a very serious guy. I felt I had a great opportunity to win a championship based on his past results.”
Like Friday’s ARCA race from Pocono, Gragson has balanced multiple series of racing alongside his full-time Truck Series seat in 2018. Gragson made his debut in the Pinty’s Series in May, along with a K&N East start and CARS Super Late Model racing.
Why the extra mileage?
“I’m just trying to get better as a driver,” he said. “Stay in the seat, keep that momentum. Ever since the Richmond [XFINITY] race, I learned a lot and it made me better. I don’t think anything beats momentum, it’s hard to stop it.
“Just keeping that self-confidence, not getting too high on my confidence but not getting too low. Staying focused, staying positive and learning is the biggest things for me this year.”