NASCAR driver Kyle Larson suspended without pay after using the N-word on live stream
The NASCAR world is again reminded that although iRacing is a video game, online actions have real-world consequences. Kyle Larson is the latest driver who will likely experience fallout from his behavior during a virtual race.
Sunday night, Larson, driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro, was broadcast using the N-word over his radio during an exhibition iRacing event. Larson appeared unaware that his microphone was being picked up by a Twitch livestream, which included other NASCAR drivers and was accessible to the public.
He has been suspended without pay for his comment by his team, Chip Ganassi Racing.
“You can’t hear me?” Larson said. Larson’s name flashed across the bottom of the stream to indicate he was speaking. “Hey, (N-word).”
The other drivers immediately erupted in shock.
“Kyle, you’re talking to everyone, bud” Xfinity driver Anthony Alfredo said.
“Yep, we heard that,” iRacing driver Aron MacEachern said.
“Yikes,” IndyCar driver Conor Daly said.
The clip surfaced on Daly’s Twitch stream late Sunday night and quickly made the rounds on social media. Monday morning, NASCAR released a statement that said it “is aware of insensitive language used by a driver during an iRacing event on Sunday, and is currently gathering more information.”
Sunday wasn’t the first controversial moment with a NASCAR driver on an iRacing livestream. Last Sunday, No. 43 driver Bubba Wallace was frustrated by a crash and quit mid-race during eNASCAR’s premiere Pro Invitational event.
“That’s why I don’t take this s--- serious,” Wallace said over his Twitch stream.
One of his sponsors, Blue-Emu pain relief ointment, dropped its sponsorship deal with Wallace due to the move.
Larson’s comment, however, will likely have much more significant ramifications. According to NASCAR’s personal conduct policy, a “public statement and/or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age or handicapping condition” could result in a fine, suspension and/or termination.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 1:18 AM.
