Gragson, 25, was first suspended by the race team and then by the sanctioning body. The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship runner-up is a rookie in the Cup Series this year, and currently sits 33rd in points.
Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 car this weekend at Michigan. Berry has made several starts this year, filling in for Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports while they were both out with injuries. He will be full-time in Cup next year, taking over the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford after Kevin Harvick retires.
Legacy Motor Club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson and Maury Gallagher, released the following statement, but did not indicate the specific reason for the suspension:
Noah Gragson has been suspended with immediate effect due to his behavior not aligning with our team’s values. Josh Berry will take over driving duties for the No. 42 car in this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan.
NASCAR and Gragson react
NASCAR has taken the same action, imposing an indefinite suspension on Gragson from participating in races.
“NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson. Following his actions on social media, NASCAR has determined that Gragson has violated the Member Conduct section of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book and has placed him under indefinite suspension.”
Gragson has since released the following statement on social media, apologizing for his actions: “I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”
Gragson recently expressed approval for an Instagram post that seemed to mock the tragic killing of George Floyd in 2020 by Minneapolis police officers.
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