Noah Gragson reveals best Daytona 500 advice he learned from Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Noah Gragson is set to head into his third Cup Series season with a third different team and the young journeyman has learned a thing or two over the years, including from Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Gragson hasn’t been with JR Motorsports since 2022, but he still recalls some valuable lessons. Maybe even one that can help him this week at the Daytona 500.

“Every time I’ve been down here I’ve just been trying to learn as much as possible and just make as many notes on different positions,” Noah Gragson said on Sirius XM radio. “Dale Jr. gave me the best advice that I’ve had in my career for Superspeedways back when I was racing at JR Motorsports.

“He said, ‘Treat every Superspeedway race like it’s a rental Go-Kart race.’ Like you’re going out to the rental Go-Kart track. You’ve got to make moves all day and try and get yourself up to the front. But if you get hung out in the middle, three-wide, go to the back, use it to learn and see what your car does throughout the whole race.”

Noah Gragson has had some previous success at Daytona, too, winning in the Xfinity Series in 2020 and finishing third in 2022.

He’ll be looking to carry that over to this weekend, along with the useful advice from Earnhardt.

“I’ve really taken that and applied it to myself, ever since 2020,” Noah Gragson said. “We went out in the Xfinity Series and won the first race out at Daytona. And just using his knowledge and what he’s talked about, and building on my process as well and trying to figure out what to do.”

Gragson knows if one thing doesn’t work, it’s time to tinker.

“It’s a very trial-and-error sport,” he said. “Different reps and different races at it you’re able to learn, ‘Hey, this didn’t work last time. I might try it again and if it doesn’t work another time, hey, don’t do that move anymore.'”

Will that be enough to propel Noah Gragson to a strong finish at the Daytona 500? Tune in Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX to find out.