Ryan Preece's former spotter joins Stewart-Haas Racing and Noah Gragson's crew
Andy Houston, who previously served as spotter of the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford piloted by Ryan Preece, announced Wednesday he’s joining the No. 10 team to spot for Noah Gragson.
“Excited to announce that i will be moving to the #10 car next year at @StewartHaasRcng to spot for @NoahGragson !” Houston wrote on X. “We have already broke the ice at the #snowballderby where we were contenders the whole race! Ready to get to work!!”
Houston, 53, has worked as a spotter for multiple drivers over the years, including Austin Dillon, Cole Custer and Preece. He now makes the lateral move over to the No. 10 team, which announced Wednesday that Gragson will be behind the wheel of on a full-time basis in 2024.
Noah Gragson to drive Stewart-Haas No. 10 car in 2024, replacing Aric Almirola
Gragson, 25, replaces Aric Almirola, who spent the last six seasons with Stewart-Haas Racing. He signed a multiyear deal with the team. Stewart-Haas Racing has not yet announced a sponsorship deal.
“Noah deserves to be in the NASCAR Cup Series and we’re very happy to have him as the driver of our No. 10 Ford Mustang,” Stewart-Haas Racing co-owner Tony Stewart said in a statement. “Noah has performed at every level where he’s competed and has regularly been in championship contention. That’s the kind of driver we need at Stewart-Haas and that’s why Noah is a part of our team.”
Gragson’s first full-time season in the Cup Series was cut short last season after NASCAR indefinitely suspended him on Aug. 5. The sanctioning body suspended him for violating the member conduct section of the NASCAR Rule Book after he liked a racially insensitive post on Instagram. Five days later, Gragson mutually parted ways with Legacy Motor Club. NASCAR lifted the indefinite suspension of Gragson on Sept. 12, clearing him to return to all NASCAR activity.
Prior to the suspension, Gragson competed in 21 races behind the wheel of the No. 42 Chevrolet, failing to record a top-10 finish. He finished a season-best 12th in the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 19. Prior to joining Legacy Motor Club, Gragson raced full-time in the Xfinity Series for four seasons with JR Motorsports. Piloting the No. 9 Chevrolet, Gragson compiled end-of-season points standings finishes of eighth, fifth, third and second. He tallied 13 wins.