BROOKLYN, Mich. (AP) — Driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and Legacy Motor Membership resulting from liking an insensitive meme with a photograph of George Floyd’s face.
“I’m upset in myself for my lack of consideration and actions on social media,” Gragson posted Saturday. “I perceive the severity of this example. I like and respect everybody. I attempt to deal with everybody equally regardless of who they’re. I tousled plain and easy.”
Josh Berry shall be within the No. 42 Chevrolet in Sunday’s race at Michigan Worldwide Speedway to exchange Gragson.
Floyd, who was Black, died in 2020 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes. His demise sparked mass protests world wide and compelled a nationwide counting on racial injustice.
Within the wake of Floyd’s demise, NASCAR banned the Accomplice flag at occasions and venues after Bubba Wallace — its lone Black driver — mentioned there was “no place” for it within the sport. Earlier that yr, Cup sequence driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur whereas enjoying a online game. Chip Ganassi Racing fired Larson and he was suspended by NASCAR, which required him to finish a sensitivity coaching course for reinstatement.
NASCAR mentioned Gragson violated the member conduct of its rule e-book, with out offering particulars.
“His actions don’t symbolize the values of our group,” Legacy Motor Membership mentioned in a press release.
The 25-year-old Gragson, who’s from Las Vegas, is in his first full season within the Cup sequence and is No. 33 in factors.
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