NASCAR driver suspended before Michigan Cup Series race

Noah Gragson drives during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Sunday, July 23, 2023, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)AP

BROOKLYN, MI – NASCAR driver Noah Gragson won’t be racing in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, as he’s been suspended.

Gragson drives for Legacy Motor Club – which is led by seven-time NASCAR champions Jimmie Johnson and Richard Petty. Legacy sent out a statement at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Aug. 5, just prior to Cup Series practice and qualifying.

“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’s statement said, in full.

About an hour later, NASCAR also announced Gragson is suspended indefinitely.

“NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson,” the NASCAR statement said. “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.”

Gragson, 25, is in his first full-time season in the Cup Series, driving for Chevrolet. He has struggled so far, and is 33rd in points.

Legacy did not clarify what Gragson did to earn the suspension. However, Frontstretch reporter Daniel McFadin reported Saturday there’s a screenshot circulating of Noah Gragson liking a George Floyd meme on Instagram. Floyd was killed by police in 2020, sparking civil unrest across the nation.

Gragson tweeted out his response after the news.

“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media,” Gragson said on Twitter. “I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”

Berry, who drives for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Xfinity Series team, has been a substitute driver in the Cup Series on multiple occasions this year. He filled in for injured drivers Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman earlier in the year, and finished second at Richmond Raceway earlier this year.

Berry will race a Ford in the Cup Series in 2024 for Stewart-Haas Racing, filling the seat of the retiring Kevin Harvick.

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