"I assume they will allow me to be myself" - Noah Gragson's initial reaction to FRM deal announcement
Stewart Haas Racing driver Noah Gragson is set to join Front Row Motorsports on a multi-year deal in 2025, marking his move to a third different team for his third NASCAR Cup Series season.
After announcing its expansion to a three-car organization for the upcoming season, Front Row Motorsports has now filled two of the three seats. The team will announce additional details regarding the crew chief, car number, and partners for Gragson's ride at a later date.
Noah Gragson eagerly anticipates joining Front Row Motorsports and expressed hope that the team would let him "be himself". Gragson is one of the most popular characters in the Cup Garage. He brings a unique and entertaining persona to the organization.
After announcing his deal with FRM, Claire B Lang asked the 25-year-old if he planned to bring his trademark energy and enthusiasm to his new team.
"I certainly hope so! I haven't spent enough time over at the shop yet, around the guys or anything, been really focused on this year. But I assume they would allow me to be myself. It's just gonna be good for everyone, bringing energy to the race shop, to the group of guys and bringing a good atmosphere. Just bringing energy to the culture over there, inside the building, it's important to me and to invest in time and people is important," Gragson said.
"So getting to know and build relationships over there with staff members they have, all the men and women that work at Front Row. It's important and I hope we'll be able to do that in the future," he added.
Noah Gragson aims to lead the Front Row driver lineup
The #10 Stewart Haas Racing driver will team up with 24-year-old Todd Gilliland at Front Row Motorsports next season, with the team yet to announce their third driver.
Apart from continuing with the Ford Performance group, Noah Gragson views his move to Front Row as an opportunity to grow and potentially lead the team's driver lineup. In the above-mentioned interview with Claire B Lang, he said:
"To be able to stay with the Ford camp, that's important to me and for Ford Performance and to be able to grow as a person, as a leader for our race team. I feel like there's a lot of opportunity to do that over at Front Row."
Noah Gragson also mentioned team owner Bob Jenkins's vision for the organization's growth and the culture within the team as two factors that influenced him to join the team.