NASCAR Cup Series: Kyle Larson suspended without pay

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson has been suspended without pay by Chip Ganassi Racing after using a racial slur during an iRacing event.

Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson was competing in Monza Madness, a NASCAR iRacing event at virtual Autodromo Nazionale Monza, late on Sunday evening when he appeared to lose communication with his spotter over his headset.

That led him to use a racial slur, “Hey N*****”, that has now resulted in Chip Ganassi’s organization suspending him without pay.

Upon using the N-word, several of the other drivers who were involved in the event, which was being streamed live on Twitch for the world to see and hear as well, reacted in shock over their headsets.

“Kyle, you’re talking to everyone bud,” one said.

“Yikes,” said another.

Chip Ganassi Racing released the following statement about the matter on Monday.

"“We are extremely disappointed by what Kyle said last night during an iRacing Event. The words that he chose to use are offensive and unacceptable. As of this moment we are suspending Kyle without pay while we work through this situation with all appropriate parties.”"

NASCAR also stated the following.

"“NASCAR is aware of insensitive language used by a driver during an iRacing event on Sunday, and is currently gathering more information.”"

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Larson has not yet publicly commented about the matter.

The 27-year-old Elk Grove, California native, who has competed full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing since the 2014 season and has never competed full-time for any other team, has six career Cup Series victories.

He sits in a seventh place tie in the championship standings through the first four races of the suspended 2020 season. He finished in a career-high sixth in the championship standings last season after ending a win drought of over two years by winning the round of 12 playoff race at Dover International Speedway to secure his first career round of 8 berth.

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It is unclear how Kyle Larson’s suspension will be handled given the fact that the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season has been at a standstill due the coronavirus pandemic for over a month. The most recent race was contested at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday, March 8, and just four of the 36 races on this year’s schedule have been contested.

Xfinity Series driver Jeremy Clements was suspended for a similar reason, using the N-word to a reporter, back in 2013. He driver still competes to this day, but he was only reinstated after completing a course in sensitivity training. He ended up missing two races. It is worth noting that NASCAR suspended him, whereas Larson’s initial suspension came from his team.

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