NASCAR: 5 possible replacements for Kurt Busch in 2022

5 of 5

Noah Gragson, JR Motorsports, NASCAR (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Possible Chip Ganassi Racing drivers for 2022: No. 5 – Noah Gragson

This move screams Chip Ganassi Racing by far. Call Noah Gragson what you will, but the 22-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native could be just what Chip Ganassi needs to light a fire in his two-car tandem.

Gragson is by far the youngest driver of this group, and with other teams such as Hendrick Motorsports showing their dominance with the youth movement they’ve established, Ganassi could follow suit.

More from NASCAR Cup Series

It’s been mentioned (and mentioned, and mentioned) that Ganassi likes winners. Gragson has taken two wins in both the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.

The aforementioned wild card scenario with Josh Berry applies to Gragson as well. Gragson, who has been criticized for his on-track and off-track mishaps, could be a red flag to certain teams, but Chip Ganassi Racing shouldn’t be one of them. They are not afraid to bring in a driver from whom other teams may shy away.

While Kurt Busch has certainly calmed down throughout his career, we cannot forget the “outlaw” moniker he carried with him for many years. And Juan Pablo Montoya was always a “must-listen” on Radioactive.

Even Ross Chastain turned his then-Kaulig Racing teammate A.J. Allmendinger on the last lap of an Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway and defended his actions, citing that it was for the win.

Next. Top 25 NASCAR drivers of all-time. dark

Gragson has sponsorship from True Timber, Black Rifle Coffee and Bass Pro Shops, and he already attempted to make his Cup Series debut with Beard Motorsports at Daytona International Speedway earlier this year. A new team, a new driver and a new series could be the perfect match for Ganassi and Gragson.

Home/NASCAR Cup Series