NASCAR driver Kyle Larson is fired after calling another driver the N-word during online race
THE NASCAR driver who called another driver the N-word during a virtual racing event over the weekend has been fired.
Kyle Larson, 27, was fired on Tuesday by Chip Ganassi Racing after the incident on Sunday night, when he used the racial slur after he seemingly lost internet connection with other racers.
Larson was in his seventh Cup season with Ganassi and had been prepping to test free agency for the first time in his short career.
Before this unfolded, Ganassi had expected to find himself in a bidding war to keep Larson — who he had gambled on and developed into one of NASCAR’s future stars.
Ganassi said in a statement: “After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson.”
“As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially given the values of our organization.”
“As we continued to evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became obvious that this was the only appropriate course of action to take,” Ganassi continued.
The iRacing Event on Sunday was being livestreamed on Twitch when Larson dropped the racial slur.
“You can’t hear me? Hey, n*****,” Larson said to his spotter, who is a white man.
The remark was heard by viewers and other drivers, including one who said: “Oh, damn! He did not just say that.”
“Kyle, you’re talking to everyone, bud,” one driver said, while another told the livestream: “Yup, we heard that.”
Larson, who is half Japanese and the only racer of Japanese descent to win a major NASCAR race, apologized in a video posted online on Monday.
“I made a mistake, said the word that should never, ever be said,” the 27-year-old said.
“There is no excuse for that. I wasn’t raised that way. It is just an awful thing to say. I feel very sorry for my family, my friends, my partners, the NASCAR community and especially the African-American community.”
“I understand the damage is probably unrepairable and I own up to that. But I just want to let you all know how sorry I am and I hope everyone is staying safe during these crazy times.”
He also reached out to his sponsors to apologize.
Larson was initially suspended by Ganassi without pay to “work through this situation with all appropriate parties.”
And NASCAR had ordered Larson to complete a sensitivity training course before he was eligible for reinstatement.
But soon primary sponsors McDonald’s and Credit One Bank pulled their funding, and Chevrolet suspended its relationship with Larson.
Brent Powell, president of Plan B Sales and Marketing, was the only sponsor to remain behind Larson, who he said called him personally to “express his regret about what transpired.”
“We know he is an awesome young man that made a mistake and we are going to stand behind him 100 percent and help any way we can,” Powell said.
But without funding for the No. 42 Chevrolet and with Larson in the vehicle, the situation became difficult for Ganassi.
Larson had been prepping to test free agency for the first time in his short career and Ganassi was expected to find himself in a bidding war to keep the sprint car driver he had gambled on and developed into one of NASCAR’s future stars.
In 2013, NASCAR suspended Xfinity Series driver Jeremy Clements for using the N-word while he was speaking to a reporter.
He was later reinstated after completing a sensitivity training course and still competes.
The event on Sunday night was a virtual race made for fun against drivers from various series.
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It wasn’t part of NASCAR’s official series, and Larson said earlier Sunday he doesn’t “really ever remember confirming but if I am not busy with the family I might try and get on (the simulator.).”
The 27-year-old has six career Cup wins and finished a career-best sixth in the standings last season, and is married with children.
Larson, whose grandparents spent time in an internment camp in California during World War II, climbed from short-track racing into NASCAR through its “Drive for Diversity” program.
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