LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson with immediate effect, the NASCAR Cup Series organization announced on Saturday.
A statement from the organization reads: "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, who competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, will serve as the interim driver of the No. 42 Sunseeker Resorts Chevrolet Camaro for Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Raceway.
The announcement of Gragson's suspension from his full-time seat at LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, comes less than an hour before the scheduled start of practice and qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series event at the two-mile oval.
Just minutes after the organization's statement, Gragson posted a statement of his own to social media, stating: "I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. 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."
The 25-year-old driver was in the midst of his first full season of NASCAR Cup Series competition, where he was competing for Rookie of The Year honors in the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
Through the opening 22 events of the year, Gragson had recorded a pair of top-20 results at NASCAR's top-level, finishing 12th at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and 20th at Circuit of The Americas the following week.
As of the time of publishing, there have been no additional details given surrounding the terms of the suspension for Gragson, or what the organization's plan is for the No. 42 entry going forward.
Just prior to the start of NASCAR Cup Series practice, NASCAR released a statement which reads: “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.”
Image Credit: Craig White, Racing America
