NASCAR driver suspended indefinitely over social media post

Legacy Motor Club NASCAR Cup Series rookie Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely for liking an inappropriate social media post.

Legacy Motor Club rookie Noah Gragson will not be competing in Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway after being suspended by his team for “liking” an inappropriate social media post.

The post “liked” by the 25-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada native featured a The Little Mermaid-themed meme of George Floyd, the individual whose May 2020 death at the hands of police sparked numerous protests and riots across the United States.

Naturally, the controversy surrounding Floyd’s death led to mixed opinions on Gragson’s suspension, with others comparing his punishment to the lesser punishments handed down to other drivers for similar situations.

But upon the announcement of the suspension, Gragson immediately owned his mistake and admitted that, bottom line, he needs to do better.

NASCAR added that they are in full support of the suspension and suspended Noah Gragson indefinitely themselves.

Josh Berry, who spent two stints as a replacement for injured Hendrick Motorsports drivers earlier this year, is set to drive Gragson’s No. 42 Chevrolet in Sunday’s 200-lap FireKeepers Casino 400 at the four-turn, 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometer) Brooklyn, Michigan oval.

Gragson, who is hoping to learn and grow from this unfortunate sequence of events, is already facing an uncertain future at Legacy Motor Club, even though he was said to have signed a “multi-year” deal ahead of the 2023 season.

Amid the team’s impending switch from Chevrolet to Toyota for 2024, Toyota Xfinity Series driver John Hunter Nemecheck has been linked to his seat.

While the team as a whole have struggled after making good progress late last year, the rookie has recorded just two top 20 finishes and a top finish of 12th place this season, compared to teammate Erik Jones’ four top nine efforts.

Gragson, who missed a race in June with a head injury he suffered in a crash, sits in 33rd (last) place in the point standings among full-time drivers.

Gragson was granted a playoff waiver for his earlier missed start, keeping him eligible to qualify for the postseason with a win. A decision has not been announced by NASCAR this time around, and there is no confirmation on if or when he will return.

Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 is set to be broadcast live on USA Network from Michigan International Speedway beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. Begin a free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss it!