UPDATE 6 8-10-2023: Today, Noah Gragson requested to be released from his contract as the driver of the No. 42 NASCAR Cup Series entry for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB.
“I have asked LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to release me from my contract so that I can take time to work through the NASCAR reinstatement process. I love racing, and I am looking forward to a second chance to compete for wins at the highest level of NASCAR – and most importantly, make my family, my team and the fans proud of me once again.” – Noah Gragson
“Noah has a ton of talent and has a great personality. This is a difficult situation, but we are proud that Noah has taken ownership of his actions and are confident he will work through this process with NASCAR and come back stronger.” – Cal Wells III, CEO, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
— Legacy Motor Club —
UPDATE 5 8-8-2023: The latest from Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass:
With no return date set, the team has been reaching out to drivers about filling Gragson’s seat for upcoming races. The team had no additional update beyond the next two weeks and is in discussions with Gragson about his future with the team.
— Fox Sports —
UPDATE 4 8-8-2023: Motorsport’s Jim Utter reports that the team confirmed that they have not parted ways with Noah Gragson.
NEWS: @LegacyMotorclub confirms it has NOT parted ways with driver @NoahGragson contrary to reports#NASCAR
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) August 8, 2023
UPDATE 3 8-8-2023: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB™ has signed two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Mike “Rocky” Rockenfeller of Germany to drive the No. 42 Sunseeker Resort Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the Aug. 13 NASCAR Cup Series event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Road Course and the Aug. 20 event at Watkins Glen International.
Just hours after a fifth-place finish in the GTP class at Road America in the IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar series, Rockenfeller got the call from fellow NASCAR Garage 56 teammate Jimmie Johnson this week to assist the team for the two upcoming road course events. Johnson and Rockenfeller competed in the IMSA series together for Action Express for two seasons and were both an integral part of the Garage 56 project with Hendrick Motorsports in which they completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June along with former Formula One driver Jenson Button.
This will be the first time the veteran sports car racer will compete on the 2.439-mile road course at the storied “Brickyard”; however, the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona winner has made two starts in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2022 – at Watkins Glen and at the Charlotte ROVAL. In addition to winning twice at Le Mans, “Rocky” is a three-time winner in the NASCAR Rolex Grand-Am Sports Car Series and won the 2013 DTM championship.
“After racing with Jimmie in IMSA for two years and together in the Garage 56 program not only were we teammates, but we are now great friends,” said Rockenfeller. “To get to race for him in the NASCAR Cup Series for LEGACY M.C. with him as a co-owner is such a true honor. It’s going to be a huge challenge as I have never raced at Indy. I was dreaming about being in a Cup Series car again and I’m thankful for the opportunity. I will try my best in this short timeframe to come together with the team and have a great race in Indy.”
Johnson is excited to welcome his sports car teammate to the Club.
“Rocky and I were teammates and helped develop the G56 program,” said Johnson. “I couldn’t think of a better person to assist our Club in this tough situation. These back-to-back road course events will be great for Rocky from the technical side as they will bring out his expertise. Rocky is extremely knowledgeable and talented, and I know he will get us the best results possible.”
The NASCAR Cup Series’ Verizon 200 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course will take place on Sunday, Aug. 13 at 2:30 pm ET airing on NBC, MRN Radio and SIRIUS XM NASCAR Radio channel 90.
— Legacy Motor Club —
UPDATE 2 8-8-2023: The Athletic’s Jordan Bianchi reports that Legacy Motor Club has parted ways with Noah Gragson effective immediately.
Mike Rockenfeller will drive the No. 42 at Indianapolis and Watkins Glen.
NEWS: Noah Gragson and Legacy Motor Club have parted ways and Gragson will not return to the team once his suspension is lifted, sources tell @TheAthletic. Mike Rockenfeller to drive Legacy's No. 42 car at Indy and Watkins Glen. https://t.co/q4Y312vmwP
— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) August 8, 2023
UPDATE 8-5-2023: NASCAR Statement:
“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.”
ORIGINAL POST: Statement from Legacy Motor Club: “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 will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan.”
Statement from Noah Gragson:
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. https://t.co/PCX6iMJxRF— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023
NASCAR confirmed that the suspension is the result of Gragson’s response to a meme making fun of the death of George Floyd, and it was shown that Gragson liked the post.