Noah Gragson’s Failure to Escape ‘American Air’ Bad Luck Leaves NASCAR Fans Shaking Their Heads: “How Does This Always Happen”

In 2025, Noah Gragson will drive the #34 car for FRM in the NASCAR Cup Series. However, there are still a number of uncertainties surrounding the team, given its legal battle with NASCAR. Former JR Motorsports star Noah Gragson has had a rollercoaster career in his second full season in the Cup Series. In 2022, he ran part-time in the Cup Series with Kaulig Racing before signing with Legacy Motor Club. After a suspension marred his maiden full-time season, he was released from the team.
Gragson replaced veteran Aric Almirola with Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) after sitting out the rest of the year. Stewart-Haas Racing’s announcement that it would cease operations by the end of 2025 and sell three of its charters further shattered hopes for a stable future.
Front Row Motorsports is expanding into a three-car operation in 2025 with Noah Gragson as the team’s anchor. The deal marks a fresh start for the 25-year-old driver. Despite being part of Ford Performance, Gragson faces a daunting task. As the program moves into a new era, Gragson replaces one of FRM’s cornerstone drivers, Michael McDowell.
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Noah Gragson still carries the baggage from his rocky relationship with American Airlines as he starts his new chapter with Front Row Motorsports. The persistent streak of misfortune Noah Gragson has experienced with American Airlines has left NASCAR fans stunned. After Gragson was once again the victim of a luggage mishap, social media played host to his frustration and fans added their own blend of humour and exasperation. Fans are quick to point out and analyze the strange pattern that has developed between him and the airline.
As for Noah Gragson, this is more about continuing a streak that feels more like a bad joke than a coincidence. Strangely, Gragson’s checked bag from Las Vegas to Pensacola was rerouted to Charlotte rather than Pensacola this week. He tagged American Airlines directly in his post, drawing attention to the absurdity of the situation, “How does a bag tagged for Pensacola go to Charlotte?” Many NASCAR fans have suggested this is more than just a coincidence, the airline may be exploiting the driver’s fame for free publicity.
American Airlines or an overarching narrative with Noah Gragson?
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While some fans find humor in the absurdity, others are fed up on Gragson’s behalf. Suggestions to “fly private” or send the airline an invoice have flooded in, but the incident has more to do with how Gragson seems to attract chaos. Contrary to popular belief, not all NASCAR drivers fly in private planes. While some teams like JGR do have their planes, others prefer flying commercial. Kyle Larson once admitted his preference for commercial flights, especially when flying west to participate in dirt races in California. He explained that it allowed him to travel with the team rather than spend a lot of money flying alone.
A fan, almost fed up, commented “How does this always happen to bro?” These comments refer to not long ago. His helmet mix-up during the close of the 2024 season was another incident that started as an ‘almost’ personal loss and turned into a public spectacle. It remains a memorable twist in Gragson’s story of “American Air” woes. After wrapping up his final stint with Stewart-Haas Racing, Gragson returned from Phoenix with what he called his “new favorite” helmet—a chrome-heavy, bluish-grey design flaunted proudly on Instagram. But the celebration was short-lived. Upon arriving at the airport, Gragson left the helmet on an American Airlines flight and quickly discovered that retrieving it was easier said than done.
Turning to social media, he asked fans and airport staff for help. His posts made it clear that the helmet was important to him. Not just as gear but as a sentimental memento of his time with SHR. Ultimately, the helmet was found and returned after a frantic five-hour search, thanks to the combined efforts of fans and airline staff. While Gragson thanked everyone involved, the ordeal cemented his reputation as a travel trouble magnet.
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Fans, however, responded with sympathy last time but this time sarcasm followed. Comments like “Bro how do you have the worst luck with luggage” and “Again is crazy” expressed both amusement and bewilderment. Gragson understood what he needed to do after his last luggage problem with the airline, and quickly posted on X. Perhaps fans might see a new picture of Gragson in a few hours, similar to the last time after he found the helmet, when Gragson simply hung on to his luggage for the rest of the flight.