NASCAR suspends Noah Gragson indefinitely after team suspension
Following his suspension from LEGACY Motor Club, Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for his actions on social media. Gragson liked a post on Instagram mocking the death of George Floyd. In response, his team sidelined him ahead of Sunday’s race. NASCAR has now weighed in with its own suspension and support of LEGACY’s decision.
Josh Berry will replace Noah Gragson for the weekend. However, it appears that there will be a longer suspension than just a single weekend. Gragson could be looking at detrimental consequences.
NASCAR came out in full support of LEGACY and also made its own decision based on the Member Conduct section of the NASCAR Rule Book.
“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.”
Noah Gragson released a statement of his own following the decision by his team. In that statement, Gragson expressed disappointment in himself, insisted that he understood the severity of the situation, and loves and appreciates “everyone.”
“I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple,” Gragson explained in his statement.
It seems that this is going to be a huge mistake for Gragson all around. It will be interesting if he gets back in the No. 42 at some point this season or if he is sidelined for the rest of 2023.
Noah Gragson suspended for actions on social media
In today’s world, you have to watch what you are doing on social media at all times. Gragson made a big mistake and shouldn’t have even been entertaining the meme that he liked on his Instagram. NASCAR drivers represent more than just their team, they represent a multitude of companies and sponsors.
This season, Noah Gragson is 33rd in the standings and has had a season that he would like to forget. After Gateway, Gragson said he couldn’t wait for the offseason and now it might be here sooner than he expected.
“We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team. Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan,” LEGACY M.C. said in a statement.
The suspension from LEGACY Motor Club is going to have huge consequences. One would have to imagine that other teams would be hesitant to work with him as far as sponsorships are concerned.