Noah Gragson will not compete in Saturday’s (July 28) Gander Outdoors 150 from Pocono Raceway.
Gragson has been battling a stomach bug all weekend long, which ultimately resulted in him failing to turn a lap during the morning qualifying session. The championship contender will receive a medical waiver per NASCAR.
“Noah Gragson has been treated and not cleared to return to racing action at this time,” stated a representative from NASCAR. “NASCAR has granted him a playoff waiver so he will be able to contend for a championship. Any news on a replacement driver will come from Kyle Busch Motorsports.”
It looks like Noah Gragson is pretty sick in Pocono today.@KaitlynVincie has more: pic.twitter.com/v6UUkGd5S3
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 28, 2018
Unable to race today in Pocono due to Doctor not clearing me to race. If it were up to me, I’d be in my @safelite Tundra. I tried everything in my power to race. Thanks to everyone who supports me in my career. I feel like I’ve let everyone down. But respect NASCARs decision.
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) July 28, 2018
The replacement driver as of this writing as yet to be determined, but speculation is that it will be a former Kyle Busch Motorsports driver.
UPDATE: Erik Jones will run the No. 18 Toyota in Gragson’s place.
The green flag will wave shortly after 1 p.m. ET. Kyle Busch will start from pole and KBM has won the past three races at the Tricky Triangle.
His favorite tracks on the circuit include Barber Motorsports Park, Iowa Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville, and Bristol Motor Speedway.
During the season, Christian also spends time as a photographer with multiple other outlets shooting Monster Energy AMA Supercross, Minor League & Major League Baseball, and NCAA Football.