“I feel ready,” Noah Gragson set to make Cup Series return at Nashville after recovering from concussion

Legacy Motor Club driver Noah Gragson is excited to return to the Cup race at Nashville after missing Sonoma due to a concussion.

“I feel ready,” Noah Gragson set to make Cup Series return at Nashville after recovering from concussion

Noah Gragson (Image via Charlotte Observer)

Noah Gragson, Legacy Motor Club driver, missed the Cup race at Sonoma Raceway due to concussion-like symptoms from a crash. Truck Series driver Grant Enfinger made his Cup debut and replaced Gragson in the No.42 Chevrolet for the race. However, Gragson was cleared to return to racing after his recovery. The 24-year-old is excited to get behind the wheel of his No.42 Chevy this weekend for the Ally 400. 

Noah Gragson was the 32nd fastest in Friday’s practice session with an extended 50 minutes track time for the teams. He revealed that he felt as good as ever and mentally sharp. The full-time no.42 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 driver is ready to go and fight for a solid position this weekend at the Nashville Speedway. 

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Gragson stated, “I feel mentally sharp, as good as I felt before we wrecked. The main thing was to feel we’re 100 percent, and even when I felt 50 percent, I was like, ‘Man, I feel 100.’ He explained that it was a process. The 24-year-old added, “I feel ready to go and excited to get back behind the wheel.”

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Noah Gragson opened up about his condition after the crash

Noah Gragson (Image via John Raoux | Credit: AP)
Noah Gragson (Image via John Raoux | Credit: AP)

Gragson hit the Turn 1 wall in St.Louis at World Wide Technology Raceway due to a brake rotor failure. He then tried to slow down his car by spinning through the inside grass. Gragson understood he needed medical help two days after the incident as symptoms started to kick in. He knew something was not right on Wednesday. Though Gragson told his team he would try to race at Sonoma, his condition worsened. Then he decided not to participate in the race and told his team. 

Noah Gragson confessed that he did not feel guilty or bummed out for missing the race. He knew his replacement Grant Enfinger would do well. During his recovery, he spoke to other drivers who suffered similar injuries, like Alex Bowman, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Tyler Reddick.

Gragson’s headaches and fatigue have reduced, and he feels better now. He admitted that he suffered hard hits in Xfinity Series cars and last year in the Cup cars, but nothing compared to this. Gragson said, “Never have I had the feeling of symptoms that lasted so long throughout the week leading up to the next race.”

Noah Gragson claimed his symptoms after the crash kept getting worse. However, he was grateful to NASCAR and its protocol for believing in him. He also thanked Enfinger for filling in for him. Though it was not an ideal position for him, he admitted he felt good after getting some rest. Gragson is now ready for the Ally 400. 

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