To be racing in NASCAR’s top-tier division is any budding driver’s dream. And to be able to do that in one of the sport’s top teams with living legends by your side is certainly a pipe dream for many. But not for Kyle Busch‘s former Truck Series driver.

While one aspiring upcoming driver is getting promoted to a certain degree and handed a golden opportunity, another one has his taken away. Dale Earnhardt Jr‘s former driver following a PR nightmare is now being replaced by the Xfinity Series sensation permanently.

Kyle Busch & KBM’s former driver lands his dream Cup Series opportunity

A few weeks back, NASCAR nation was taken aback when the Cup Series rookie sensation got evicted. While the ballsy 25-year-old was pretty much a controversialist, his presence in NASCAR’s top-tier division certainly caught many eyes. Especially his infamous fistfight with Trackhouse Racing‘s Ross Chastain, that had the entire racing community talking.

Yes, Noah Gragson is the youngster here. Despite riling up some debates, getting the community talking, Gragson, who drove for JR Motorsports in Xfinity Series, got his ride taken away following his social media activity. While the rookie got evicted from the helm of the #42 car of Legacy Motor Club, Jimmie Johnson has found a worthy replacement in Kyle Busch’s former Truck Series and Xfinity sensation, John Hunter Nemechek.

Reflecting on JHN’s golden opportunity to driver for the 2-time Cup Series champion, Brett Griffin went “spot on” for the driver. He said, “Toyota has put their arms around this guy(JHN), they’ve embraced him, without Toyota I dont think he’s in this position either and I think it’s a big gift for that team especially given what they’ve had going on really for the last 2 years.”

The Kaulig Racing spotter further compared Gragson and Ty Dillon to Nemechek’s position. “I look back at Ty Dillon who’s struggled there, I look back at Noah who before his PR nightmare, he was struggling. He was never a factor, right Freddie?

He then speculated how LMC and Toyota’s partnership will turn around, saying, ” So I think this is going to be a team on the up and up but the big question that hangs over everybody’s head is how big of a Toyota involvement are they going to be. Are they going to get to be like a Joe Gibbs Racing and I think over time that answer is going to be yes.” 

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NASCAR reinstates Noah Gragson

The 25-year-old wasn’t having a splendid rookie sensation, but certainly wasn’t having any trouble until he liked a George Floyd meme on Instagram. Suddenly, the scene grew dark as his own team threw the driver under the bus with a hefty and indefinite suspension. Soon followed NASCAR’s punishment.

READ MORE: NASCAR Restoration of Controversial Road Course Tactic Triggers Heavy Backlash Across the Racing Community

The organization citing the member conduct section of the NASCAR Rule Book, suspended the driver on August 5th. 5 days after the whole debacle, Gragson and JJ’s team parted ways, with the youngster asking for it. According to NASCAR, the rookie said, “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.”

A few hours earlier, the driver expressed his gratitude with a tweet, sharing his thoughts. He also stated, “I am now more focused and committed than ever to representing my future team in the best way possible. I’m eager to get back behind the wheel and compete at the highest level, giving it my all and off the track.” 

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