Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mocks Noah Gragson Over Dumb Mistake During Daytona 500 Qualifying

NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. has shared his thoughts on Noah Gragson’s costly mistake from the Daytona 500 qualifying.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mocks Noah Gragson Over Dumb Mistake During Daytona 500 Qualifying

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Noah Gragson (Via IMAGO)

Front Row Motorsport’s Noah Gragson found himself in hot water after a mistake during the single car qualifying at the Daytona 500. A week ahead of the event, NASCAR changed the rule banning drivers from using their hands to redirect air once they exit the pit-road.

During the session, Noah Gragson broke the rule and his time was disqualified, forcing him start behind in the Duels. Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on situation by comparing the racer to a kid that touches the hot stove despite being told not to.

This is the most Noah thing ever. Don’t touch that stove, it’s hot. Touches stove. Gets burnt. Says yes, it is hot.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X.

Talking about the situation to the media after the disqualification, Noah Gragson admitted that he made the mistake as he forgot about the rule change. He took the blame for habit kick in in the wrong time and was relived considering the consequences are less at Daytona since the duels gave him another shot at a better starting position for the main event.  

Yeah, I completely forgot about that rule. So that one’s on me. So, luckily we have the Duels. I feel like, for the Daytona 500, it’s such a long race, you could kinda start wherever.

Noah Gragson said.

Furthermore, No:4 Ford Mustang driver admitted that he feels like an idiot over the mistake, something Dale Jr. indirectly said with analogy. But he still have a lot of time redeem himself considering, he is pretty strong at Superspeedways.

It is what it is. But yeah I feel like an idiot for that, putting my hand up. Oh well, we got a race tomorrow to do. I’m dumb for that.

Noah Gragson added.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is over the moon over JRM’s 2026 Daytona 500 entry

While the qualifying was a nightmare for Noah Gragson, for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his JR Motorsports team it was a moment to cherish. His driver Justin Allgaier qualified for the second straight Daytona 500 and Junior is happy the stressful moments are over for them.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Justin Allgaier (via James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. with Justin Allgaier (via James Gilbert/Getty Images)

This is a lot of fun either way, man. It’s such a great sport, so much fun to be a part of it. It’s awesome to be able to come down here and try to make your way in. It is stressful, but that’s the best part about it.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

The team’s co-owner and Junior’s sister Kelly Earnhardt Miller is also happy about the strong result and pointed out that it feels good to secure a spot for the main event. She also credited their sponsors for the support as well.

It feels really good. I don’t know about less stress, but it feels really good. We’re super proud of Justin. Wanna thank Traveler Whiskey for this opportunity, so couldn’t be any better.

Kelley Earnhardt Miller said.

JRM leadership will be hoping that their driver will perform strong in the race and pave their path towards eventually becoming a full-time Cup team. But it won’t be easy, with the ever-green charters making entering sport costlier than ever.

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