Noah Gragson notched a $100,000 payday with a fourth-place finish in Saturday’s A-GAME 200 at Dover Motor Speedway. The JR Motorsports driver has now placed fourth or higher in seven of 10 Xfinity Series races this year, including two victories.
Following Gragson’s latest performance, he discussed the possibility of earning a full-time NASCAR Cup Series promotion. The 23-year-old expressed hope of getting the call despite struggling to make his mark in recent opportunities.
“I hope they’re looking at Xfinity results,” Gragson said Sunday, per Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “I’m putting in a lot of hard work for the Cup side, but just the results haven’t been there. But right now my priority is chasing an Xfinity Series championship, and we have a good opportunity to do that.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also wants the Cup Series to take notice.
The two-time Daytona 500 winner responded to video of Gragson’s interview by saying he deserves a chance to reach his true potential.
“I think he’s a Cup level talent with more room to grow (upside),” Earnhardt wrote Sunday. “Also brings a lot of personality and marketability. Feel like he’s earned a full time cup opportunity.”
I think he’s a Cup level talent with more room to grow (upside). Also brings a lot of personality and marketability. Feel like he’s earned a full time cup opportunity. https://t.co/KIJozlUoT6
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) May 1, 2022
Grayson has yet to place higher than 20th — his result at Talladega last Sunday — in five Cup Series events this year. Yet he’s a promising driver who could one day flourish on the grand stage.
Earnhardt believes Gragson has already justified that opportunity.
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