Noah Gragson encountered significant trouble during the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he radioed his team that “something is broken” after suffering a flat tire early in the race. The Front Row Motorsports driver, starting 18th, was forced into an extended pit stop on lap 26, which caused him to drop several laps behind the leaders and fall outside the top 30 in the field.
Gragson, 27, pitted alongside former Front Row Motorsports driver Michael McDowell, who also experienced a flat tire. After returning to the track, Gragson ran in 35th place as of lap 93, ahead of four drivers who had already retired from the Brickyard 400, including Cody Ware, Austin Dillon, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Ross Chastain.
Kelly Crandall, a NASCAR insider, shared Gragson’s radio message on social media, quoting him saying,
“Noah Gragson: ‘Something is fucking broken.’”
Flat Tire Woes Affect Multiple Competitors at the 2.5-Mile Track
Gragson was not the only driver grappling with tire issues at the Indianapolis race. Austin Cindric, who led for 40 laps earlier in the contest, experienced a tire blowout while running in first place on lap 84. Without any caution flag to slow the race, Cindric eventually resumed competition a lap down, highlighting how the track‘s fast pace and conditions challenged tire endurance for several drivers.
Gragson’s Season Performance and Points Standing Update
This race continues a series of struggles for Gragson, who has finished within the top 40 in his last three outings but remains mired in a difficult season. After 21 races, the Las Vegas native has earned a single top-5 finish — a fourth place at Talladega Superspeedway — along with three top-10 results. However, six Did Not Finish (DNF) results this year have cost him crucial points, leaving him 33rd in the overall NASCAR Cup Series standings.
Excitement Builds Around NASCAR’s Upcoming San Diego Street Race
Besides his troubles at Indianapolis, Gragson recently expressed enthusiasm for NASCAR’s upcoming San Diego Weekend event, set to debut on Naval Base Coronado. NASCAR released a thrilling trailer featuring Gragson and other drivers involved in an adventurous mission, which included flying fighter jets and evading police, generating anticipation for the event.
Gragson posted on X,
“So badass filming this with the boys. Lot of laughs! I can’t wait. Gonna be sick af.”
The new race layout, expected to be nearly three miles long, will be the longest street course since the Chicago street race, which is currently paused for the 2026 season but is anticipated to return in 2027. The San Diego event will feature all three national NASCAR series: Cup, Xfinity, and Craftsman Truck.
Gragson’s Future with Front Row Motorsports and Team Dynamics
Now in his first season with Front Row Motorsports following his previous year with Stewart-Haas Racing—which ceased operations after 2024—Gragson is part of one of the youngest driver lineups on the grid. Alongside teammates Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith, who drives the team’s newly added third car (#38 Ford Mustang), Gragson’s average team age is 26.
The Las Vegas native is expected to compete in the San Diego street race next year under a multi-year contract with Front Row Motorsports, aiming to build momentum despite the setbacks at Indianapolis and throughout the season.
Implications for the Remainder of the NASCAR Season
Gragson’s mechanical issues at Indianapolis underscore the ongoing challenges Front Row Motorsports faces as they strive for better results. Flat tires and reliability problems have held back the team‘s progress, affecting Gragson’s ability to compete consistently at the front.
With promising events like the San Diego Weekend on the horizon and a youthful, energetic team, Gragson’s Indianapolis struggles may serve as motivation to rebound during the closing races of the 2024 Cup season as he looks to improve his standing and deliver stronger finishes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Where is Noah Gragson in 2025?
A. Noah Gragson is set to drive the No. 4 Ford for Front Row Motorsports in 2025. Drew Blickensderfer will serve as the crew chief. The No. 4 car will continue its tradition in the NASCAR Cup Series with this new chapter involving Gragson and Front Row Motorsports in the upcoming season.
Q. Who is number 4 on Noah Gragson?
A. Noah Quinn Gragson, born on July 15, 1998, is a professional race car driver from the United States.
He races full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He drives the No. 4 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports.
Gragson is from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Q. Where is Noah Gragson going in 2025?
A. In 2025, Noah Gragson will drive the No. 4 car for Front Row Motorsports. Drew Blickensderfer will be the crew chief. This marks a new chapter for the team in the NASCAR Cup Series.