Following his practice session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Noah Gragson worked alongside his crew to finalize preparations on his backup car for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race. The initiative came after a challenging day during the Viva México 250 preparations, with the Front Row Motorsports driver personally seen assisting in the repairs on social media, earning praise from fans for his hands-on approach.

Practice Day Performance and Incident Affect Gragson’s Race Setup

During practice, Gragson recorded a lap time of 94.749 seconds, placing him 21st on the timesheet. He was nearly three-quarters of a second slower than Michael McDowell from Spire Motorsports, who posted the fastest lap at 94.024 seconds. However, Gragson’s session ended prematurely when he brushed the wall, damaging his primary car and forcing his team to switch focus to the backup vehicle ahead of Sunday’s race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Current Season Standings and Road Course Performance

Noah Gragson is still seeking his first victory this season and has yet to secure a spot in the 2025 NASCAR playoffs. After 15 races, he sits 31st in the Drivers’ Championship with 224 points. The #4 driver has logged one Top 5 and three Top 10 finishes this season, maintaining an average start position of 22.2 and an average finish of 22.7. With multiple road course events approaching, Gragson’s best finishes on similar tracks are an 11th-place result at Watkins Glen last year and an eighth-place finish at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas in 2025, indicating room for growth on these challenging circuits.

Gragson Shares Reflections Ahead of Historic NASCAR Event in Mexico

As NASCAR returns to Mexico for the first time in over twenty years, Noah Gragson expressed his anticipation and thoughts on the significance of the event to the media. He said,

“I’m not sure what to expect in Mexico, but I’m excited to get down there,” said Gragson. “It’s a big event for our sport and a great chance to connect with new fans, so it’s cool to be part of it. We’ve had speed every week-it just feels like luck hasn’t gone our way. Hopefully, that turns around this weekend.” —Noah Gragson, NASCAR Driver

The weekend’s schedule includes the Chilango 150, the 65-lap, 157-mile Xfinity Series race set for June 14 at 4:30 PM ET, followed by the 100-lap, 241-mile Cup Series race, the Viva México 250, on June 15 at 3 PM ET.

Implications for Gragson and Front Row Motorsports in the Upcoming Race

Noah Gragson’s commitment to personally assist with his backup car highlights his determination to bounce back after a difficult practice and early season struggles. As NASCAR expands its footprint internationally with this significant event in Mexico City, strong performances here could provide momentum for Gragson and his Front Row Motorsports team. Success in these road course races may also influence Gragson’s positioning in the overall championship standings, making the forthcoming Viva México 250 a critical opportunity to improve his season outlook.