A new year brings fresh promise, and for Noah Gragson, 2025 is all about building on the progress made during his Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) stint in 2024. With eight career top-tens and two top-five finishes—most of them earned last season—Gragson is determined to take his Cup Series career to the next level at Front Row Motorsports (FRM).
Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Opportunity
The Las Vegas, Nevada native has come a long way since his uncertain 2023 season. After struggling to secure a Cup Series ride, Gragson has now proven himself capable of battling NASCAR’s elite for top finishes. His transition to FRM presents a golden opportunity to capitalize on continuity, as several key members of his No. 10 SHR team are making the move with him.
Familiar Crew, Fresh Start at Front Row
Gragson forged a strong bond with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer at SHR in 2024, an alliance that produced seven top-ten finishes and one top-five. So when Tony Stewart announced SHR’s closure, uncertainty loomed over Gragson’s future. However, his fears were eased when Blickensderfer and other key team members joined him at FRM.
In addition to Blickensderfer, interior specialist Chris Trickett, engine tuner Matt Moeller, and engineer Dillon Silverman will continue working alongside Gragson in FRM’s No. 4 Ford team. Their collective expertise will help smooth the transition and ensure that Gragson picks up right where he left off.
Early Sparks of Greatness at FRM
Gragson’s move to FRM is already showing promise. During the Cook Out Clash, he executed an incredible three-wide pass on a track barely two lanes wide, overtaking two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch and Justin Haley. This bold move underscores the confidence and momentum he brings into 2025.
Speaking to Bob Pockrass, Gragson highlighted the value of retaining much of his SHR team at FRM:
“We got a mixed group, and I’m looking forward to it. I think with our process that we crafted over the past season at Stewart-Haas, we’ll be able to take those standards over to Front Row and keep building on them.”
Gragson acknowledged the comfort of working with the same crew chief and manufacturer, but also embraced the excitement of his new environment:
“There’s a lot of comfort in being with the same crew chief and same manufacturer, but there’s some newness to it too, moving over to Front Row Motorsports. It’s going to be a fun time—I’m excited for it.”
Drew Blickensderfer: The Key to Gragson’s Growth
Gragson was quick to credit Blickensderfer’s influence in shaping him into a more competitive driver.
“We’ve upped our standards from where we were last year. Working with Drew Blickensderfer—he really guided me into the driver that I am right now. And we want to keep building on that into this season.”
Can Gragson’s Familiar Crew Lead Him to Victory?
With a strong team behind him and a growing sense of confidence, Noah Gragson appears primed for a breakout season at Front Row Motorsports. But will familiarity and experience be enough to propel him to his first Cup Series win, or is he still finding his footing at NASCAR’s highest level?
One thing is certain: Gragson’s 2025 campaign will be one to watch.
