22/06/2026
Kevin Magnussen's first NASCAR debut ended with a confrontation on pit road.
The former F1 driver had a lively race in San Diego, starting 21st and running inside the top 20 for much of the afternoon. He even set the fastest lap of the race at one stage and scored the bonus point for it. But his race became increasingly heated after a long-running battle with Noah Gragson.
The pair first came together on Lap 25, with Magnussen running into the back of Gragson before the two banged doors and fought aggressively for position. Gragson repeatedly blocked the Dane and even moved him in the final chicane.
At one point, Magnussen radioed:
"I'm stuck behind this guy. I don't know who he is."
The rivalry boiled over later in the race. As they battled again, Magnussen got into the rear of Gragson's No. 4 Ford, spinning him into the wall and ending the American's race.
Afterwards, Gragson waited for Magnussen on pit road and confronted him in person.
"What's your f***** problem? You guys come over here and drive off into the corner just because you've got fenders on it!"* Gragson shouted.
Magnussen was having none of it.
"Get the f** out of my face."*
Gragson again said "What's your problem?"
Magussenn replied "F*** around and find out."
When Gragson continued pressing him, repeatedly asking what his problem was, Magnussen delivered the perfect response.
"My problem is you, in my face. Now f** off."*
He then added:
"You don't understand English, or what? I'm saying f** off."*
Gragson replied:
"Or what? What are you gonna do?"
The argument lasted around 90 seconds before team representatives stepped in and separated the two drivers.
After the race, Magnussen summed up the entire incident perfectly:
"Noah could have had a good race, but he chose not to."
For a driver making his first NASCAR start, Kevin Magnussen experienced just about everything in one afternoon: aggressive blocking, contact, spinning a rival, a heated post-race argument and a viral quote.
He had a proper NASCAR debut. 🇩🇰🏁🔥