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“He’s Looking Forward to Next Year” -Denny Hamlin Sympathizes With “Poor” Noah Gragson’s Unlucky Slump

Published 07/19/2023, 2:19 AM EDT

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Noah Gragson’s ongoing struggles persisted at the NASCAR Cup Crayon 301 event, which took place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Originally slated for Sunday, this adrenaline-fueled extravaganza encountered a tumultuous turn of events due to heavy rain. NASCAR was compelled to alter its plans, deferring the epic showdown to a fateful Monday, with the clock striking noon.

Gragson, a prominent Rookie of the Year contender, has found himself entangled in the web of an utterly forgettable season with an average finish of 28.4. In the recent podcast “Actions Detrimental With Denny Hamlin,” Hamlin spoke about yet another chapter in this tale of misfortune for Gragson.

Denny Hamlin speaks out: Poor Noah Gragson’s horrendous year on the track

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Noah Gragson was sidelined at Sonoma due to a concussion and getting into a fight with Ross Chastain at Kansas Speedway. The string of misfortune seems to have haunted the Chicago race and followed him to New Hampshire. Noah Gragson blew a brake rotor on lap 271, leading to a round of pit stops.

During his podcast, Denny Hamlin spoke about the bad luck Gragson has been facing lately. “I mean, holy moly, the 42, he just can’t stop hitting stuff. Poor Noah has had a horrendous year. That’s the only word you can use to explain it.”

“You know, their cars obviously have been off and it’s really hard to show up to the race track every week when you know that, you know your cars don’t have the speed and then. You know, with the mechanical failures and blowing rotors and stuff like he had at Gateway and tires falling off here at the, it’s just tough, tough, tough year for Noah and I’m sure he’s looking forward to next year for sure.” Hamlin stated.

Post-race, Gragson candidly voiced his unease, shedding light upon the challenges of the treacherous track. “New Hampshire hasn’t been one of my better tracks, but we got a handle on it in the Xfinity Series,” he conceded, acknowledging the arduous nature of the task. However, he recognized the stark disparity between the Xfinity cars and the formidable beasts of the Cup Series.

WATCH THIS STORY: 23XI Co-Owner Denny Hamlin Favors Rivals Trackhouse Racing Driver Over His Own Driver Bubba Wallace

The driver for Legacy Motor Club experienced a series of unfortunate crashes recently during the highly anticipated Chicago Street Race. The race, known for its treacherous conditions and challenging tracks, lived up to its reputation. It delivered an intense spectacle for fans and teams as Gragson suffered heavy blows.

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Turn 6’s reign of terror: Noah Gragson’s battleground of catastrophes

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Downfall befell Gragson at the treacherous Turn 6, where patches of low traction and streaks of painted lines akin to suburban lanes played cruel tricks on unsuspecting racers. Despite endeavors to retain control, Gragson slid into the tire barrier stationed at Turn 6. Mercifully, the swift and efficient AMR Safety Team promptly swooped in to free Gragson’s Chevrolet from the clutches of the tire barrier.

However, the terrors of Turn 6 refused to loosen their grip on the Jimmie Johnson driver. Throughout the race, the relentless turn dealt merciless blows, subjecting Gragson to a woeful tally of four catastrophic encounters at its notorious bend. The formidable tire barriers stubbornly persisted as a thorny affliction for the beleaguered drivers, Gragson included, as they valiantly endeavored to navigate the treacherous circuit with their mettle tested to the limits of endurance.

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READ MORE: “Stop Doing Dumb Sh*t” – Noah Gragson Gets Served an Epic Response After Confronting DBC Crew on Their “Trash” Talk

As the shadows of uncertainty loomed large, Gragson and his resolute #42 team entered the battlefield with an indomitable spirit, aware that a top 20 finish would be a praiseworthy accomplishment, considering their trials and tribulations throughout this season’s rollercoaster.

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Written by:

Brahmi Dhaytadak

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Brahmi Dhaytadak is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. She combines her love for F1, Tennis, and NASCAR into electrifying prose that sets the hearts of her readers racing. Whether it was the finesse of Charles Leclerc's maneuvers around Monaco or the artistry of Roger Federer's racket, everything inspired Brahmi to venture into the field of sports journalism.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai