SPEED officials have confirmed that reporter Ray Dunlap has been suspended one race for inappropriate on-air remarks. Dunlap has been a pit reporter for Craftsman Truck Series races at the network since 2004. Dunlap will not appear on during Saturday’s broadcast of the Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway. The remarks were made during a taping of the network’s show “Trading Paint.” It was reported that Dunlap made disparaging remarks toward Hispanics when he and Cup driver Michael Waltrip were talking about minority interest in the sport during the show, which was taped. “As a guest on ‘Trading Paint,’ you try to be edgy, controversial and entertaining,” Dunlap said in an e-mail statement. “In a failed attempt at humor, I obviously crossed the line between funny and insensitive. For that, I am deeply sorry. “I am a huge supporter of NASCAR’s diversity initiative and am very proud to work in today’s more progressive garage area. I look forward to seeing the fans at the race in Atlanta.” SPEED did not comment on the nature or content of Dunlap’s remarks in an e-mail statement from SPEED spokesman Erik Arneson. “Ray Dunlap has been suspended for one race (Martinsville) for making comments on-air that the company found inappropriate,” the statement read.(SceneDaily.com)(10-19-2006)
