NASCAR History: Racial slurs of the past amid Kyle Larson’s comment

Here are previous cases of racial slurs in NASCAR and the fallout that occurred in each case; The NASCAR rule book on racial slurs

On Sunday night, there was a hosted iRacing session featuring many stars of the racing world. The race was hosted on the oval version of Monza.

60+ cars took to the track for the outrageous event. Drivers went live on their Twitch streams, NASCAR showed it live on their YouTube channel and fans tuned in from all the angles.

The race was setup by fellow NASCAR driver Landon Cassill. It wasn’t anything serious with caution flags disabled. It was just a fun, crazy race that most drivers would crash out of.

Early in the race, Larson did crash out. He then took to his radio button and dropped the N-word.

It appears that Larson thought he was having mic issues. Or he thought he was speaking directly to a certain driver.

Instead, the comments were heard by every driver in the race and all the fans that tuned in to watch.

Related: NASCAR driver Kyle Larson drops N-word (Video)

NASCAR Rule Book on slurs

“NASCAR Members shall not make or cause to be made 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.”

Violation of the above could result in a “fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination” per the NASCAR clarification.

Slurs in motorsports

There’s been a few cases similar to this in the past. Here’s what happened under the previous circumstances:

Derek Daly: 1980’s video surfaces (2018)

In 2018, Conor Daly was making moves on the NASCAR ladder. However, a video from the 1980’s surfaced of Daly’s father using a racial slur.

Lilly Diabetes reacted by pulling sponsorship from Cono Daly’s Xfinity ride. An overreaction given the driver himself did not make the slur.

That move came just ahead of Daly’s NASCAR debut.

In that case, Derek Daly had just moved to the United States. He stated that the term had a different meaning in his native country of Ireland.

Derek Daly lost his TV role as a commentator.

Jeremy Clements: N-Word (2013)

In 2013, Jeremy Clements was running the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He used the n-word during an interview with a reporter.

The conversation took place after the drivers’ meeting at Daytona International Speedway. The reporter stated that the phrase in reference to driving, not another driver.

NASCAR officials issued a statement and suspension for “an intolerable and insensitive remark.”

NASCAR reacted by handing the driver an indefinite suspension. Clements missed the next two weeks due to the suspension and returned at Bristol.

More

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson drops N-word (Video)

Kyle Larson, Daniel Suarez wreck each other under caution at Bristol Motor Speedway

Bubba Wallace loses real-world NASCAR sponsorship after rage quitting iRacing event (Video)

NASCAR announces online racing series during postponement

NASCAR iRacing: TV Ratings

Kyle Larson had plans to test a Scott Bloomquist dirt late model

Links

Kyle Larson | Chip Ganassi Racing | NASCAR | eNASCAR | iRacing

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