Dale Earnhardt Jr Suffers Massive Loss as Petty GMS Announces Hendrick Motorsports Level “Huge W”
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Dale Earnhardt Jr Suffers Massive Loss as Petty GMS Announces Hendrick Motorsports Level “Huge W”
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Hellmann’s Chevrolet, stands next to his car after the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #8 Hellmann’s Chevrolet, stands next to his car after the NASCAR Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2019 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Past the midway point earlier in this season, Noah Gragson, arguably one of the best, if not the best young drivers in NASCAR, was announced as a future Petty GMS Motorsports driver, putting a full stop to his time with Dale Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsports at the end of 2022.
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This was a move that many saw coming, a step-up to the Cup from the Xfinity, even Dale Jr. did.
But regardless of his foresight, it’d still hurt to lose a generational talent like Gragson from your team.
And now, it’s going to hurt even more. Because not only is Gragson leaving JR Motorsports behind, he’s also taking a key asset from the team with him to Petty GMS.
Luke Lambert, the current crew chief of Gragson at JRM, was recently announced to be following his driver in his move to the new team.
Excited to welcome Luke Lambert to the team in 2023!
NEWS: Petty GMS Hires Luke Lambert as Crew Chief for @NoahGragson and the No. 42 Chevrolet Team pic.twitter.com/Pvi80zZojY
— Petty GMS (@PettyGMS) October 25, 2022
This was something that many NASCAR fans considered a big win for Noah Gragson and his new team, because, well, just look at his record in the Xfinity Series this season.
They’ll be a duo to be competing with @KyleLarsonRacin N @DanielsCliff in ‘23.
— Mark Raynor (@MarkRay93676102) October 25, 2022
He really took @JRMotorsports to the next level with the 9. Excited he will be continuing with my favorite Xfinity driver to cup. Guess I will have Larson and Gragson to pull for next year. 💪🏁
— 🏁Cale Shonk 🏁 (@CaleShonk) October 25, 2022
Another PettyGMS move, another W. 2023 can't get here fast enough. pic.twitter.com/WfX23vwnql
— Chapman Rackaway (@DocPolitics) October 25, 2022
This is wonderful news! So excited to see they will be together in Cup next year. Let's Go!!!!
— Valerie B (@Valerie94391008) October 25, 2022
Huge W they do so well together!!!
— Benny_Boy (@Benny_B21) October 25, 2022
W move
— DennyDeliversYT (@DennyDelivers) October 25, 2022
These two together plus the already paired @Erik_Jones and @DaveElenz, this organization is looking quite 🔥 🔥 🔥 for next season.
— Eric Sosnowski (@EricSos) October 25, 2022
WATCH THIS STORY: Dale Earnhardt or Jeff Gordon – Who Has the Most Wins at NASCAR’s “Cursed” Track?
Dale Earnhardt Jr’s loss is Richard Petty’s gain
Speaking after announcing Noah Gragson to his team, Maury Gallagher, the owner of Petty GMS, described how he saw the current #9 JRM driver from a young age, and ever since then he’s been sure of his commitment, desire, and ability to win at every level.
“As we move into our second year of competition in the Cup Series, Noah is a great fit for our organization and I think with Erik and his experience, the two will prove to be contenders each week,” he added.
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DOVER, DELAWARE – APRIL 30: Noah Gragson, driver of the #9 Bass Pro Shops/TrueTimber/BRCC Chevrolet, gestures to fans during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series A-GAME 200 at Dover Motor Speedway on April 30, 2022 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Gragson himself emphasized his new team’s environment being somewhat identical and, as a result, attractive to him as his current one.
“With where I am at right now with my racing career and JR Motorsports, how that operation is run, the whole atmosphere they have… that’s kind of what I see over here at Petty GMS,” Gragson said.
“It’s a family atmosphere, great people, great leaders, and for a 24-year-old guy, for them to take the opportunity and want to hire me, it is truly humbling.”
