Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR suspend Noah Gragson

On Saturday, Legacy Motor Club declared the suspension of Noah Gragson, their NASCAR Cup Series driver, citing behaviors contrary to the team’s values. Later in the day, NASCAR officials backed the team’s decision, indefinitely suspending Gragson for breaching the member conduct guidelines in the NASCAR Rule Book.

In an official statement, the Legacy Motor Club disclosed that Josh Berry, a regular in the Xfinity Series, would step in as the substitute driver for the No. 42 Legacy MC Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway for the upcoming race. Gragson’s offense pertains to Section 4.4.D. of the NASCAR Rule Book, revolving around member conduct. The NASCAR officials, in their statement released on Saturday afternoon, emphasized their full support for Legacy Motor Club’s decision and clarified that Gragson’s conduct, particularly on social media, warranted an indefinite suspension due to violation of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book’s Member Conduct section.

At 25 years old, Gragson is navigating his inaugural full season in the Cup Series, presently positioned at 33rd in the series standings. His season has seen challenges, including missing a race earlier in the year due to concussion-like symptoms. Following the suspension announcement by Legacy Motor Club, Gragson took to social media to issue a statement.

Berry, substituting for Gragson, is making his ninth appearance in the Cup Series this season during Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400, with the race scheduled to continue on Monday. Set to join the Stewart-Haas Racing’s No. 4 team in the Cup Series for the upcoming year, Berry has already participated as a substitute driver for Hendrick Motorsports in eight races this season. He filled in for Chase Elliott in the No. 9 Chevrolet for five races and for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Chevy for three races.

Berry expressed his intentions of re-familiarizing himself with the Next Gen car and underscored the impromptu nature of this substitution. His primary objectives for the race include maintaining the integrity of the car and absorbing as much as possible to prepare for the next season. He plans to engage in further discussions with Luke Lambert, the No. 42 crew chief, and the team after his Xfinity race to strategize for the upcoming challenge and aim for the best possible finish.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR