One notable name was conspicuously absent when NASCAR’s biggest stars gathered to celebrate the 2024 season in style at the annual awards ceremony in Charlotte. A familiar face on the Cup Series circuit, Noah Gragson opted for a different type of horsepower-fueled excitement—jetting off to attend the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. While some speculated about his reasons for skipping NASCAR’s final event of the year, Gragson’s Instagram post provided the answer in the form of an unexpected celebrity encounter.

From the Kitchen to the Circuit: Did you know Gragson met Ramsay?

Noah Gragson shared a photo with none other than celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, captioning it simply, “Yes Chef.” Decked out in his iconic white chef’s jacket, Ramsay struck a pose with the NASCAR driver, who couldn’t help but fanboy in the comments, referencing Ramsay’s most memorable one-liners from Hell’s Kitchen. And the next thing we know? Fans flooded the post with excitement, marveling at the unexpected crossover between motorsports and culinary stardom.

For many motorsport fans, Gordon Ramsay’s presence at Formula 1 events is as common as champagne on the podium. Known for his fiery personality on shows like Hell’s Kitchen and MasterChef, Ramsay is also an avid racing enthusiast with a penchant for high-performance cars. And what’s more intriguing is his supercar collection.

It includes Ferraris, McLarens, and Lamborghinis. It’s no surprise, then, that Ramsay was spotted in the paddock at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, mingling with drivers and adding his enormous star power to the event. And Noah Gragson’s Instagram post gave fans a glimpse into Ramsay’s world. The two seemed to bond over their mutual love for adrenaline, with the NASCAR driver humorously quoting Ramsay’s famous “IT’S RAW” in the comments as he soaked in the high-stakes atmosphere of F1’s newest and glitziest race.

As for Ramsay, his love for motorsport is well-documented. He often attends races with his family and has even dabbled in amateur racing himself. His presence at the Las Vegas Grand Prix served as a reminder of the event’s global appeal, drawing celebrities and fans alike to witness the spectacle of racing under the neon lights of the Strip. But imagine Gordon Ramsay in the Front Row Motorsports Garage, cheering for Gragson next season; the NASCAR crowd will definitely go crazy!

Gragson’s start to a better season

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While Noah Gragson enjoyed the thrill of F1’s desert showdown, the Las Vegas Grand Prix carried immense stakes for the drivers on the grid. Meanwhile, back in NASCAR’s orbit, Gragson’s absence at the awards ceremony highlighted a season of highs and lows for the 26-year-old driver.

After starting 2024 with Stewart-Haas Racing, Gragson faced early challenges, including a points penalty for unapproved roof rails. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, such as a career-best third-place finish at Talladega, Gragson ended the season in a disappointing 24th place in the standings.

His career trajectory took another twist when Stewart-Haas Racing announced its impending closure, prompting Gragson to sign a multi-year deal with Front Row Motorsports starting in 2025. The move represents a fresh start for the Las Vegas native, who has shown resilience and determination amid a turbulent year.

Gragson is excited for his new team and car; the No. 34 Ford that Michael McDowell drove. Sharing his excitement to join FRM in 2025, he said, “It’s definitely exciting times. When we started out this year I didn’t know how I was going to run. I didn’t know if I had the potential to run in the Cup Series just based off how the 2023 season went, and to be able to get my feet underneath me with the opportunity at Stewart-Haas, it definitely opened peoples’ eyes. With the challenges that have come about with Stewart-Haas, we were looking for a home for a long time and that’s when I got introduced to Bob (Jenkins) and (general manager) Jerry (Freeze). Being able to sit down with them and talk and see what their goals were and what their vision was.”

However, the FRM-23XI & NASCAR Lawsuit continues, but celebrations must not stop. As NASCAR celebrated its champions—Joey Logano in the Cup Series, Justin Allgaier in Xfinity, and Ty Majeski in the Truck Series—Gragson’s detour to Formula 1 hinted at a broader perspective on motorsport. Perhaps it was a chance to recharge after a challenging season or to draw inspiration from a different corner of the racing world.