HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Credit One Bank Chevrolet, stands on the grid during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead Speedway on November 17, 2019 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
#42 Chip Ganassi Racing All News Cup News Kyle Larson Penalties

Kyle Larson uses racial slur during eSports event UPDATES: Released by Chip Ganassi Racing

April 14, 2020 at 10:03 AM

UPDATE 4-14-2020: Chip Ganassi Racing statement: “After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson. As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially given the values of our organization. As we continued to evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became obvious that this was the only appropriate course of action to take.”

AND Chevy Statement:

“As previously stated, Chevrolet does not tolerate the inappropriate behavior exhibited by Kyle Larson. As a result, Chevrolet is immediately terminating its relationship with Mr. Larson.”

UPDATES 4-13-2020:

UPDATE: McDonald’s has joined Credit One in announcing that they will take immediate steps to terminate their sponsorship of Larson.

“The comments made by Kyle Larson are insensitive, offensive and not reflective of our inclusive values and will not be tolerated. McDonald’s is taking immediate action to terminate the relationship with Larson.”

With Larson’s biggest sponsors stating they will no longer sponsor him, the odds of him remaining in the No. 42 appear to be slim to none. Ross Chastain continues to be under contract with Chip Ganassi racing and would likely be the favorite to replace Larson.

UPDATE: Credit One announced it has terminated the company’s sponsorship of Kyle Larson.

According to Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern, the company has not terminated its sponsorship of Chip Ganassi Racing, but will not sponsor a car Larson is driving.

AND:

UPDATE: Statement from Kyle Larson:

“I want to say I’m sorry. Last night I made a mistake and 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, and I own up to that. I want to let you all know how sorry I am. Finally, I just want to say that I hope everyone is staying safe during these crazy times. Thank you.”

STATEMENT FROM CHEVY:

STATEMENT FROM CREDIT ONE:

UPDATE: Larson has also been suspended from iRacing:

UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyle Larson has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR following his use of a racial slur on a live stream during an iRacing event Sunday night.

“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.”

The behavioral penalty NASCAR issued Monday cited Sections 12.1 (General Procedures) and 12.8 (NASCAR Member Conduct Guidelines) of the official Rule Book.

Section 12.8.1.e in the NASCAR Rule Book states:

“Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination:

    • 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.”

— NASCAR—

UPDATE: Chip Ganassi Racing has suspended driver Kyle Larson without pay for the use of a racial slur during an iRacing event on Sunday.

 

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

ORIGINAL POST: For the second time in two weeks, a NASCAR Cup Series driver is in hot water over events that happened in an iRacing/eNASCAR event in the virtual world, that has now impacted their careers in real life.

Last week, Bubba Wallace lost a sponsor when he quit a virtual race being televised on FS1 and now, Kyle Larson is having to explain away a derogatory comment made while trying to link up his iRacing headset to his spotter during a virtual race. The two couldn’t hear one another and Larson exclaimed, “You can’t hear me? Hey, ni****.”

Larson was practicing for an iRacing event being hosted by another Cup Series driver and his comment was like a shot heard around the world, both online and off, as other drivers and fans reacted with shock.

The incident didn’t appear to be malicious but the sensitivities involving the racial slur are almost unforgivable in today’s society. It was captured on Larson’s Twitch video stream that can be monitored by fans and other drivers, as well. Larson, who is of Asian descent, drives the No. 42 for Chip Ganassi Racing and is a graduate of the NASCAR diversity program.

See more at Kickin the Tires.