Having clawed his way through NASCAR’s National Series over the last half-decade, Noah Gragson will finally graduate to the NASCAR Cup Series full-time, with Wednesday’s announcement that he’ll join Petty GMS Motorsports in 2023.
Gragson, an eight-time winner and perennial championship contender in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will compete for Rookie of The Year honors next season, driving the organization’s No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro.
“To be able to finally announce my plans for next season and officially say I will be competing full time in the NASCAR Cup Series is a dream come true,” said Gragson. “This is what we all dream of when we start racing at a young age, to be able to compete at the top level with the best in the world. I’m excited to join Petty GMS and drive a car that has so much history in our sport, the No. 42.”
The Las Vegas, Nevada-native is currently competing in his fourth full-time season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for JR Motorsports, where he’s collected eight wins, 52 top-five, and 85 top-10 results in 123 starts.
Gragson also competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series for both Kaulig Racing and Beard Motorsports, where his nine combined starts this season have netted him a pair of top-20 results, with a career-best 18th at Kansas.
“Noah (Gragson) has shown tremendous talent throughout his career,” said Petty GMS Owner Maury Gallagher. “I’ve watched Noah from a young age competing on the West Coast to now competing at NASCAR’s top level and he’s shown the commitment, desire and ability to win at every level. As we move in to our second year of competition in the Cup Series, Noah is a great fit for our organization and I think with Erik (Jones) and his experience, the two will prove to be contenders each week.”
The 24-year-old joins an organization that has spent the last season re-building itself, after the team’s re-brand from Richard Petty Motorsports to Petty GMS Motorsports, coming with the addition of Maury Gallagher and GMS Racing to the team’s ownership group.
Through the season’s first 23 events, the team’s current drivers Erik Jones and Ty Dillon have combined for two top-five and nine top-10 results, and currently sit 14th and 30th in regular-season points, respectively.
“We’re excited to have Noah join the Petty GMS family and climb in the No. 42 next season,” said Petty GMS Chairman Richard Petty. “Noah’s proven he can win in the Truck and Xfinity Series and compete for championships, and we know he will bring that same fire with him to Petty GMS next season.”
Jones, currently in his second year driving the No. 43, will work alongside Gragson at Petty GMS next season, with the July 30 announcement that the Byron, Michigan-native has signed a multi-year contract extension with the team.
Gragson will make his debut with Petty GMS Motorsports at the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the LA Coliseum, on Sunday, February 5, 2023. Sponsorship for the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro entry will be announced at a later date.
For all the latest updates on 2023 NASCAR Cup Series silly season, visit TobyChristie.com’s NASCAR Cup Series Driver / Team Chart:
