Noah Gragson’s NASCAR Cup Series season has been marked by persistent struggles and setbacks, including team difficulties and racing mishaps. However, his strong finish at Darlington in the recent playoff opener signals a potential end to his difficult stretch and a positive shift in his 2025 campaign.
The Journey to a Crucial Darlington Improvement
Following a controversial exit from Legacy Motor Club due to a social media issue, Noah Gragson joined Front Row Motorsports last year and returned to driving Ford cars. This change brought renewed hope for the 27-year-old driver as he entered the 2025 season with determination.
Although Gragson did not dominate races immediately, he demonstrated moments of competitiveness that kept expectations alive. Early in the year, he secured an eighth-place finish at Circuit of The Americas (COTA), followed by 16th at Homestead-Miami and an impressive fourth-place at Talladega. Additionally, consistent results such as a 10th place at Charlotte showed that Gragson could compete alongside seasoned Cup Series drivers.
Despite these promising outings, the summer period proved to be harsh. A severe slump hit Gragson’s season hard, with his best finish during this challenging window only reaching 21st at The Glen. Repeated DNFs and underwhelming results compounded the pressure on the driver and team.
However, Gragson did not give up. On Sunday at the Southern 500 in Darlington, he delivered a performance that finally ended his painful run of poor finishes.
Noah Gragson finally gets off the summertime schneid with a 14th place finish in the Southern 500.
It’s his first Top 20(!) finish in any Cup race since he ran 10th in the Coke 600 in May. pic.twitter.com/2jVDZUx4k8
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) September 1, 2025
Why Gragson’s Result at Darlington Matters for His Season
By finishing 14th at Darlington, Gragson earned 23 points and outpaced Cup veterans including Chase Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Preece, and Kyle Larson. This marked his first top-20 finish in a Cup race since placing 10th in the Coke 600 in May, highlighting a significant improvement after months of struggles.
The Southern 500 was Gragson’s fifth career Cup start at Darlington and only his second attempt in this iconic event. His previous Cup outings at the track included a 19th place at the Goodyear 400 in April. While his Cup performances at Darlington are still developing, his record in the Xfinity Series at this venue reveals a track where he has excelled.
Gragson boasts two wins, five top-five finishes, and seven top-10s in eight Xfinity starts at Darlington, with only one finish outside the top 10. This impressive history reflects his capability to master the demanding nature of the circuit, a factor that likely contributed to his improved Cup performance on Sunday.
With this renewed confidence and a solid top-15 finish, Gragson may have found the momentum needed to turn his season around as he heads deeper into the NASCAR playoffs.
