By Luis Torres, Staff Writer
PHOENIX – It’s a tale of two stories for Noah Gragson going into Saturday’s Xfinity Series finale at Phoenix Raceway.
Not only Gragson became the talk of Thursday’s Championship 4 Media Day for not shying away about his feelings for Ty Gibbs. But Saturday marks his swan song at JR Motorsports before going to Petty GMS in the Cup Series next season.
Prior to Media Day, Gragson posted on social media relating to Gibbs’ comment about Jesus following Saturday’s controversial last lap dump on teammate Brandon Jones at Martinsville.
The move cost Jones a spot for the Championship 4, but created an opportunity for Justin Allgaier to join the Championship 4 fight. It was an afterthought as Gibbs’ actions rubbed more people the wrong way and Gragson assured his disdain for the 20-year-old.
“I guess kinda race guys the way they race you. I got no problem with talking about it either,” said Gragson. “Personally, I’m excited about this week and not afraid to speak my mind.”
At one point in the season, Gragson received tremendous criticism for causing a multi-car crash at Road America. Fans, drivers, and people in the garage chastised the veteran for his actions. Some wanting him to sit out for a race.
Since then, it’s been a matter of growth for the Nevada racer.
“Anyone that’s close to me know the situation. But personality, I take it as a learning experience. I’m not glad of the outcome of other people, but I’m glad for the outcome for me and to learn,” Gragson on his previous controversy.
“I have learned, and I don’t plan on racing that way ever again. It was a heat of the moment and trying to take it as a learning experience and how I can be better. Obviously, I made a big mistake and it’s part of it. Just how to rebound and learn from it.”
At the same time, Gragson felt that Gibbs is disingenuous and his driving actions being worse. It became loud and clear after last Saturday’s incident and with the title on the line, Gragson said there’s “three and a half men” looking to be king of Xfinity.
The “half” is a shade to Gibbs, who Gragson feels he’s in fantasy land and just doesn’t care.
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