As IMSA takes to Daytona today, the NASCAR Cup Series sits 19Â Days to Daytona. For today’s preview, the #10 Stewart-Haas Racing team will be under the microscope. After well-respected Aric Almirola retired from fulltime competition, SHR picked the controversial Noah Gragson to helm the 10 car. Will Gragson have a turn around season after last year’s debacle?
#10 Stewart-Haas Racing
Driver: Noah Gragson
Crew Chief: Drew Blickensderfer
Sponsors: Rush Truck Centers
2024 Season Preview
Second Chance
Pit Pass Network journalist Gregory Latham has a fantastic article discussing the narrative around Noah Gragson and whether he needs to mature or not. Adding on to his thoughts, Noah Gragson is being given a second chance in the Cup Series. After liking a questionable meme, Gragson got suspended then fired from Cup. Whether the punishment fit the crime is up for debate, however, Gragson was likely to get the boot from Legacy Motor Club anyway. Although there is a focus on the off-track issues, the Las Vegas native has to prove he can be a competent Cup driver this season.
Blank Suit, Blank Car
Earlier this week, Stewart-Haas Racing unveiled Noah Gragson’s scheme for The Clash. With Rush Truck Centers as the primary sponsor, the scheme matched Gragson’s driver suit: essentially blank. Noticeably absent from both car and suit is Gragson’s old personal sponsors. They either have left for other teams or simply are gone from NASCAR. From the corporate perspective, it is logical why sponsors are shying away from Gragson. Not only is there the off-track controversies, but Gragson has yet to prove he is a Cup level driver. As a business, why face the potential backlash for sponsoring Gragson if he might be running 30th each week?
Prove-It Season
Noah Gragson needs to have somewhat of a “prove-it” season in 2024. That does not mean he needs to go out and win multiple races and advance to the Round of 8. Instead, he needs to demonstrate that 2023 was simply a bad season. Gragson has talent, demonstrated by his time in the Xfinity Series. While last year was historically bad (especially for the hype around Gragson), he did not get to finish it out. Remember, LMC ran better during the latter parts of 2023. No matter, Gragson has to show significant improvement to make this driver swap worth it for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Daytona 500 Chances
In limited starts at Daytona, Noah Gragson has managed to pull out a Top-5. However, said Top-5 was during NASCAR’s test of racing in the rain at Daytona in 2022. His 2 Daytona 500 starts saw Gragson get involved in wrecks that took him out of competition. In his Xfinity Series career, Gragson has picked up a win in the season opening race at Daytona.
Speedweeks Outlook
How well you think Noah Gragson qualifies depends on how you think Stewart-Haas Racing will do. With that said, Aric Almirola usually qualified well at Daytona in the 10 car. Maybe that speed will rub off on Gragson. Looking at Gragson’s duel history is a bit misleading for this year. In 2 of his 3 duel races, Gragson was attempting to race his way into the Daytona 500. While driving for a new manufacturer and team, expect Gragson to use the duel race as practice. Fords have run well at Daytona, so Gragson has a shot at the Daytona 500. However, it is more likely the 10 car will finish the race as a wrecked car.
Previous Days
40-36 Days: 40 – #12, 39 – #5, 38 – #24, 37 – #20, & 36 – #11
35-31 Days: 35 – #45, 34 – #17, 33 – #6, 32 – #1, & #31 – #9
30-26 Days:Â 30 – #19, 29 – #22, 28 – #4, 27 – #8, & 26 – #34
25-21 Days: 25 – #34, 24 – #23, 23 – #54, 22 – #99, & 21 – #48
20-16 Days: 20 – #16
