NASCAR Driver Kyle Larson Suspended After Using N-Word, Later Apologizes [VIDEO]

Kyle Larson

NASCAR Driver Kyle Larson Suspended After Using N-Word, Later Apologizes [VIDEO]

Over the past weekend, NASCAR racing driver Kyle Larson learned that what is done in an online video game can have real-world consequences. He was competing in the series’s new Pro Invitational iRacing series on Sunday night (April 12th) when he used the N-word while talking to his spotter.

During this weekend’s e-sports race, Kyle Larson lost communications with his spotter (who acts as a second pair of eyes). “You can’t hear me?” Larson asked, he then said the world “n*gg*r”. See the clip below.

NASCAR Driver Kyle Larson @KyleLarsonRacin just casually using the N-word.. WITH THE HARD R… pic.twitter.com/8bgjQ0UpLn

— Andrew Gaskin?? (@_agaskin) April 14, 2020

While he may not have realized that his audio feed was being broadcast to the entire livestream, several other stunned drivers pointed this out to him quickly. In the days that have followed, Larson has been suspended without pay by his race team and has been benched indefinitely by NASCAR. He has also lost his major sponsors. Credit One Bank, his primary sponsor, McDonald’s and Chevrolet all took action.

BREAKING NEWS: Chip Ganassi Racing ends relationship with Kyle Larson.

Details: https://t.co/c6Zf5WU7HX pic.twitter.com/AeuKyXFPne

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 14, 2020

NASCAR said in a press release:

“NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event. Our Member Conduct Guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base”.

Within 24 hours the 27-year-old Larson issued an apology via social media. See his apology below.

pic.twitter.com/RPsp7ARIea

— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) April 13, 2020

“I just want to say I’m sorry,” Larson said. “You know, last night I said the word that should never, ever be said. There’s no excuse for that. I wasn’t raised that way. It’s 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. I own up to that. I just want to let you all know how sorry I am. “I hope everyone is staying safe in these crazy times.”

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