NOTE: We have hidden a few (italicized) secret Fan Zone code words within this blog that are each worth 500 chips. Create an account or log in to redeem the codes.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rookie Noah Gragson will realize a dream on Sept. 30 when he competes in the Las Vegas 350 at his hometown track, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The 14-time Bullring winner has had an eventful rookie campaign driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and he can’t wait until the green flag drops in Las Vegas. The 19-year-old took time out of his increasingly busy schedule before his latest Bullring victory on Sept. 9 to talk about his first season in one of NASCAR’s top three series.
Q: What will it be like for you to finally get to race at the “big track” at LVMS after competing at The Bullring for years?
NG: It’s really cool to see how my career’s gone so far, and having the opportunity to race at the big track has always been a dream of mine. To make it a reality is going to be very special to me. I’m going to have a lot of friends and family here to cheer me on, and I’m really happy to be coming here. I’ve got it circled on my calendar, and it’s going to be a really fun race and fun week. I’m coming here early for it, and I can’t wait for it.
Noah Gragson has had an eventful rookie season in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and the Las Vegas driver can’t wait to race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 30.
Q: You’ve had an eventful year that’s included two pole positions and 11 top-10 finishes and some ups and downs. What are your reflections from 2017 so far?
NG: It’s definitely been up and down, but I feel like we’ve progressed a lot as a team at Kyle Busch Motorsports. We’ve grown a lot, and I’ve learned a lot. I feel like I’ve developed as a driver and have gotten better, so it’s good that I’m making progress. It’s definitely been a big step going up from the NASCAR K&N Series to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. It’s been very difficult and was kind of a rude awakening for me at the beginning. I feel like I’m starting to jive with my crew and we’re starting to fire on all cylinders. We’ve gotten a couple of pole positions this year and have been fast pretty much everywhere we’ve gone, but little things like flat tires, loose wheels, pit crew mistakes and mistakes on my part have hurt us. We all win as a team and lose as a team, so we’re just going to keep our heads up and move to the future and hopefully get a couple wins.
Q: With all of the top 10s and being in the Rookie of the Year mix, are you proud of yourself for what you’ve done this year?
NG: I’m proud of myself just because I’ve given it 110 percent. When I’m on the race track, I give it my all, and I feel like I’ve stepped up with my diet, workout program and preparation before I go to the trace track. Your preparation is key, and it’s all about studying film and knowing where you can be (on the track). If it takes you 10 laps to get acclimated to the race track, that’s 10 laps of tire life and time that you’ve lost. I’m proud of myself because I know I’ve worked hard, but I wish I could have had at least one win so far this year. I’ve just got to keep my head up and keep on digging toward the future.
Q: You’re very active on social media and have used it effectively to reach out to your fans and promote your race team this year. Can you talk about your approach to social media and what it’s done for you?
NG: I like using Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram to my advantage and to present more of the personal side of my life, because that’s what fans want to see. I feel like a lot of people are very scripted and robotic now and don’t show their personalities, so I’m very personable on social media. I like to connect with the fans, and I just like being a funny guy off the track.
Gragson received his high school diploma and won his first NCWTS pole position on the same day on June 9 at Texas Motor Speedway. (Photo courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway)
Q: What’s it like being part of the great racing pedigree from Las Vegas that includes Kurt and Kyle Busch, Brendan Gaughan and Spencer Gallagher, just to name a few?
NG: Kyle and Kurt Busch highlight the list of Vegas racers, but there’s so many talented guys who have been in the sport and are still in the sport. You’ve got Brendan Gaughan, Spencer Gallagher and Dylan Kwasniewski too, and I look up to all of those guys. To be listed in the same category with those guys means a lot to me, and I’ve just got to keep working hard and moving up through the ranks and maybe I can be up there with guys like Kurt and Kyle Busch.
Q: How hard is it going from driving a race car on a short track to driving a truck on big tracks all around the country?
NG: The thing that people don’t realize looking from the outside – and I didn’t realize it either – with short-track racing, you’re really just trying to get the car to be mechanically as gripped up as possible. You’re not going fast enough for the air to be affecting the handling of your race car. With the truck series, you go into these tracks where you’re going 190 or 200 miles an hour, and the air coming off the other trucks really affects the balance of your truck and how it’s handling. That’s been the biggest thing I’ve struggled with, just trying to read the air wakes and how my truck’s going to balance differently. You could be loose one lap when you’re next to someone, then you’re tight the next lap when you’re behind them. It’s always changing, and getting a grip on that is really the most difficult thing to learn going up to racing on the bigger-style tracks.
Gragson just missed out on the NCWTS Playoffs and was a Rookie of the Year contender most of the 2017 season, notching 11 top-10 finishes.
Q: How much interaction do you have with your race team owner, Kyle Busch, and how helpful has he been as a mentor?
NG: My relationship is very good with Kyle, and he’s very hands-on. He’s probably in the shop two or three days a week, and I feel like we’re fairly close. I can joke around with him and go to him with any question I have, no matter if it’s 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning. He’s very open, and for how busy his schedule is, I’m very surprised how well he manages it. He’s a really, really talented race car driver, but I don’t think people realize what kind of guy he is. He’s really business-savvy, knows what he wants and is really good with numbers. He’s really smart on the race track behind the wheel and off the race track, and I think that’s why he’s one of the best drivers out there.
Q: You’re trying to learn as much as you can and improve every time you race, but are you having fun too while you’re going through it all?
NG: I’m having fun. It’s a little more serious than I expected it was going to be, but I’m getting paid to do a job, so I need to be serious. I like to have fun on the side and joke around with my guys. I was thinking I was going to go out there, race the truck on the weekend and do what I normally do throughout the week. But there’s so much more work than I realized. It’s not mandatory, but I make it mandatory for myself because I want to be a better driver and a better human in life.
Gragson earned his 14th career Bullring victory at the LVMS short track on Sept. 9. (Richie Abbott photo)
Q: What are your goals and plans for the future, including next season?
NG: I’m not really sure what I’m doing next season. I plan on racing next year in the Camping World Truck Series, but right now I’m just focused on trying to get that first win and getting better. Hopefully I can be racing in the Camping World Truck Series next year.
Up to Speed with Neal Reid 