NASCAR: Noah Gragson suspended, leaves team

Noah Gragson has asked to leave the Legacy Motor Club team. He could not get out of there fast enough.

August 9, 2023

Legacy Motor Club has parted ways with NASCAR driver Noah Gragson, The Athletic reported on Tuesday.

However, Motorsport’s Jim Utter reports that the team confirmed that they have not parted ways with Noah Gragson.

Per the Athletic report, Gragson will not drive for the team for the remainder of the season after he was suspended indefinitely Saturday for what NASCAR termed his “actions on social media.”

While those actions were not specified, ESPN reported that a screenshot taken from Gragson’s Instagram account showed he had liked a meme that mocked George Floyd. Floyd is the Black man who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis in 2020.

ESPN said it was not clear if that post was why Gragson, 25, was suspended.

NEWS: @LegacyMotorclub confirms it has NOT parted ways with driver @NoahGragson contrary to reports#NASCAR

— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) August 8, 2023

August 5, 2023

Legacy Motor Club announced Saturday that it has suspended Cup driver Noah Gragson for “actions that do not represent the values of our team.”

NASCAR officials announced later Saturday that Gragson has been indefinitely suspended for violating the member conduct section of the NASCAR Rule Book.

The organization said in a statement that Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry will substitute in the No. 42 Legacy MC Chevrolet this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Gragson’s infraction falls under Section 4.4.D. of the NASCAR Rule Book, which concerns member conduct. NASCAR officials released a statement Saturday afternoon that reads: “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, 25, is in his first full season in the Cup Series. He ranks 33rd in the series standings, and he missed a race earlier this year because of concussion-like symptoms.

Gragson issued a statement on social media shortly after Legacy Motor Club made its announcement.

NASCAR Statement

“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.”

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. https://t.co/PCX6iMJxRF

— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023