Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson after the 27-year old used a racial slur during an online race held on the iRacing platform.
Larson was competing alongside a number of other motorsports and sim racing stars in the Monza Madness exhibition event on iRacing when he was heard using the slur over the radio channel that broadcasts to all drivers in the lobby. Several drivers were hosting streams of the event on their personal YouTube and Twitch channels, allowing viewers to hear the driver-only radio channel.
“Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with Kyle Larson indefinitely, as we do not tolerate this behavior,” the automaker said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the events surrounding Mr. Larson & are prepared to take additional action.”
NASCAR has also suspended Larson from the series indefinitely, while his main sponsors, which include McDonald’s and Credit One Bank, ended their support of him Monday as well.
Additionally, iRacing said it had suspended Larson from the service indefinitely in a statement released Monday.
Following the backlash, Larson took to social media to apologize for his actions, saying he was sorry for saying “the word that should never, ever be said.”
“I wasn’t raised that way,” Larson said in a video posted to his Twitter page. “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.”
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) April 13, 2020
Larson, who drives the No. 42 Camaro for Chip Ganassi Racing, has driven nothing but Chevrolet powered entries since he began competing in national level NASCAR events in 2012. He has racked up six wins in 223 Cup Series starts and is thought to be one of the sport’s most talented young drivers. The California native, who is of Asian-American descent, also came up through the series’ Drive for Diversity program, which was put together to help attract more minority and female drivers to the sport.
Larson also owns and runs a World of Outlaws sprint car racing team that claims Chevrolet Accessories as one of its main sponsors.
Many of motorsports’ biggest names have been competing in online events on iRacing and other sim racing platforms such as rFactor2 to entertain fans during the COVID-19 shutdown. The Monza Madness event was not part of the official iRacing NASCAR Pro Invitational Series calendar that NASCAR is currently hosting, which airs on Fox Sports, but rather an exhibition event that included drivers from multiple different motorsports disciplines.
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Comments
Good!
Eh…. He said it. So what?! I wish nobody could say it but it’s hypocritical when I use it but my friend Can’t use it and can get fired because someone gets offended. I know they did it because of possible backlash, but I just don’t have the same problem with it as when I was like 12.
So just destroy a young man for one word that supposedly upsets about 15% of the population. Get over it! Does GM actually think people won’t buy a GM product because he said? trump says anything and everything and gets praised for his candor what a bunch of assholes at GM.
Anybody that buys a Ford, Chevrolet or Toyota based on NASCAR is really not to bright anyway.
What they have on the track bears zero relationship the the performance of what they currently sell.
I bet the age distribution of the fans (older folks) still rely on what existed 50 years ago and once they die NASCAR is in trouble if it does not change it’s technical approach.
Kyle Larson should get a one year suspension as his comment brings shame to the sport and should get no less than a one-year suspension with a hefty fine, this type of behavior isn’t tolerated in other sports and shouldn’t be allowed in motor sports as Larson needs to feel some pain.
I would say 30-day suspension for the first offense, ramp it up for subsequent offenses.
“…..isn’t tolerated in other sports…..” Try the NFL who seem to tolerate crimes, assaults, abhorrent behavior from many of its players frequently not bringing on any kind of real censure or punishment. One errant word on a computer site? Are you kidding? Please stand up any man who has not uttered that word once— and I mean any color or race man.
Wow, one word destroys a career!
Stupid so many people say it daily. Black. White tan what ever color it’s a freaking word. He wasn’t using it toward anybody. If you say it doesn’t matter then tell blacks to stop using too in songs movies. If you want to make a point erase the word from books and history. But until everyone stops using it the word will never go away.
Now go say a certain word to a bunch of rich Jewish people or make a slur with the presidents German background , let’s see how far you get in a high paying career…
My wife is Jewish and so are a lot of our friends. I say certain words to my best friend all the time and he punches right back with a good slur or two at me. We know each other don’t mean it, so no harm. Did the person Kyle said it to become offended? If not, then give him a fine, a suspension of a 1/4 season and move on. Destroying a man’s life and livelihood because of one word is beyond ridiculous.
Ever watch a Dave Chappelle video?
Take a poll of black people and ask how many black people care what he said. Probably less than 5 percent.
That’s not really the point. If you have sponsors then you are literally paid to represent them. They get to decide if they want a moron saying inappropriate things representing them or not.
No surprise, they don’t.
Yes and so GM/Cadillac is now working with Spike Lee, who will bring us all together… Please… GM is so friggin pathetic…. Fire the cracker, hire the race baiter… Queen Mary at her PC best…
Its not like he was directing it “at” anyone in particular, he simply used a word that most find offensive. I say most because many use it on a daily basis and make music using it… if this was spoken to someone in his crew, they really need a team check..
YOU ARE SO WRONG says this black person and most every black person I know
Strange how much more egregious behavior is given a second chance. But, run afoul of the PC police and you’re doomed! The guy sincerely apologized. I sure he learned a big lesson. Let’s not prevent him from making a living. Give a short suspension and get back to business. It’s NOT that big of a deal.
I wonder if the media has figured out yet he is not a white redneck yet?
He is a Asian American from California.
For anyone who does not want the word used then set the example.
This video racing has done more damage than good. Bubba Wallace lost his real car sponsore per he parked his car because he was mad. Now this…..
This is stupid. I could understand if he called somebody that, and used it in a hateful way. He didn’t. He said it as stupidly and innocently as a 12 year old might in ignorance. He didn’t say it with hate. His career should not be destroyed over it. Fine, go ahead and suspend him a while for not watching what he says, but dang. This is sad. I can’t imagine him having to spend the day watching his whole career dissolve.
Yup, he did exactly as you say.
While representing a bunch of businesses at an official event.
Maybe they didn’t want him acting like a 12 year old.
There are certain things i can’t do or say at my job. It’s in the employee handbook i received day 1. Do or say certain things and I’m done. He knew that this wasn’t acceptable behavior, mistake or not.
This vid explains it perfectly.
https://youtu.be/QO15S3WC9pg
Honestly its really common sense.
It’s only a suspension, if he could find someway to redeem himself I’m sure they will reinstate him.
Finding new sponsors will be the real challenge.
Ganassi just fired him……
sad!!! it was a perfect remark. who is the whistleblower that reported this? must be part of the nascar deep state who hates winning so much.
Whether he called someone that or not, don’t use the word. I’m sure if a Afro-American especially someone famous dropped a derogatory word for any other race or ethnicity we as white Americans wouldn’t let them live it down. We can’t use the word period under any circumstances.
rappers and many so called music artist use derogatory words all the time. doesn’t matter if its in song or not if it does it means the words mean nothing. if you affended by a word you really should have you life examined.
A black rapper speaking to their audience and someone else saying are two totally different things.
https://youtu.be/QO15S3WC9pg
No its not, rapper is not speaking to his audience, if you agree with that then you saying rappers are for killing cops, raping women and killing people? if you believe that then that is why many in the black communities are stuck because they don’t want to fix their lives. Maybe the black so called rappers and singers should show a example. I know its always whitey or asian or the governments fault for minorities not moving up. Keep drinking the koolaid. Chicago gun problem seems to be one government has no balls and a lot of black people want to control their brothers and sisters.
You missed the point. I’m talking about folk using words within their cultural communities. I was just replying to the rap comment.
And btw, rap music is not about raping people and killing cops. you can find that language in just about any popular music genre.
What about the drug rock songs in the 60-90s did the Stones, Guns & Roses, Arrowsmith, etc say “we got to stop this”?.
Many poor, jammed up Whites still live in the Appalachian mts and rust-belt states or incompetent, greedy Whites on Wall St. dose that represent all whites?.
As for “blacks” in Chicago, you know it’s many White and Hispanic gangs also that kill in Chicago but that doesn’t represent thier population, it’s bad in every group. If “Conservative” Americans so “concerned” about Chicago give some resources like these poorly managed corporations just got.
Chicago has plenty of resources, but they have been very poorly ‘managed’ by a corrupt Democrat political machine for nearly a century. The last Republican mayor of Chicago was from 1927 – 1931…
Perhaps Chicagoans should ask themselves what 90 years of Democrat ‘leadership’ has gotten them, and why they keep reelecting the same crooks over and over again.
Really? And you think the Republican party is nothing but honest, upstanding citizens? Republicans are just as corrupt as Democrats.
Or maybe it’s time for you to stop drinking the Kool-Aid.
Independent voter since 1988 and proud of it. I vote a split ticket every time. Elected officials serve at the pleasure of their constituents, NOT the other way around. Throw the bums out!!
I never implied that Republicans are saints, and I’m sorry if you took it that way. My point is that there is no 2 party system, no checks & balances in place in Chicago.
I live in Baltimore, which is worse in almost every way, and hasn’t seen anyone other than a Democrat in a city office since the 1950s.
I like divided government. And I too am a registered independent.
This is why I favor “citizen legislators.” What this means is that in the early days of our nation, you didn’t have career politicians. You had farmers, plantation owners, blacksmiths, etc. serve for one or two terms maximum, then they went back to their previous careers. You didn’t have these politicians in office for decades beholden to lobbyists and special interests.
As corrupt as Chicago is, you people still have elections. Vote the bums out, regardless of party affiliation.
If that former Illinois governor Blagovich who tried to sell Obama’s former Senate seat can go to prison, so can anyone else.
“The last Republican mayor of Chicago was from 1927 – 1931…”
Lol, at the hight of Al Capone’s power, 500 murdered in 1930 alone. OTOH…
“corrupt Democrat”
In which the Democrats today have nothing to do with pre 1965 Democrats. But yes everyone knows about the “Chicago Machine” don’t matter who’s in power. And yes I’m Independent also
Chicago is a toilet and has been for decades. The Windy City is from the blow hard politicians, not the “wind”… Daley, Rahm Emanuel, and this new weirdo…. you sure can pick the trash to “lead” the city… its a national embarrassment…
Remember when the American Flag still had 50 stars on it. I miss those days.
It’s called professionalism, people. When you’re wearing a company’s logo, uniform, what have you, a certain standard of conduct is expected. Total lapse in personal and professional judgement.
If Kyle was in jeans and a t-shirt, what he says and does on his own time, within the boundaries of legal conduct is his business. Unfortunately, he was at a corporate sponsored event wearing corporate logos on his uniform, including Chevrolet.
Some of you people have a lot to learn about professional standards of conduct when your speech, appearance, and conduct impacts the corporate sponsors he is representing at these events.
One thing I like about NASCAR is that they don’t screw around with poor behaviors detrimental to the sport.
Recall the NFL weak position on taking a knee.
Larson can find another job where he is less visible.
Your true character is shown when you think the the broadcast is not public.
Who cares . Why does corporate America kiss the ass of 13% of the population with the least amount of economic power that are on average much more racist than the people of light (Caucasians) ? They call each other and other races n##ger with impunity and yet we are to be destroyed if we utter the word! I just lost a lot of respect for Chevrolet –ass kissers! I have bought over 200 in my life and will now re-think my choices
You’re the one overreacting here. Do yourself a favor and go watch the video of this before even attempting to defend some idiot.
He didn’t just refer to his friend or something as one. He specifically said something that can only be interpreted as him actually being a racist, or at least think that being a racist is funny.
As I was taught as a child, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”
Where did that go?
You know this is really a shameful time to be a white person in America. The word is offensive for us to use because of its roots in history. You know the consequences behind using the word especially if you’re being sponsored by various organizations given that some of them are Fortune 500 companies. I mean come on, what don’t you idiots understand about it?
what bad word did he actually say?
N-word.
More specifically, he said “I hate n-word’s”.
Just search youtube for “Kyle Larson”.
He absolutely did NOT say “I hate n*****”. He said “You can’t hear me? Hey n*****”
I guess Nate is a racist if that’s what he heard.
Good.
F*** ’em
Some people say it, some wont. I think there is confusion on who can and who cant say that word these days. I personally dont use it or like hearing it. Its sad when a racial slur becomes trendy or accepted.
Last Chevrolet I ever buy. He’s been racing for years with open mic’s to the public every race. The man apologized. HE CAN’T DO ANYTHING MORE. Ignorant corporate B.S. affraid of their own shadows. All of you should be ashamed.
HERES THE PROBLEM , GRANITE WHAT HE SAID WAS WRONG , BUT YOU KNOW IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO “MONEY ” IN NASCAR!!! THERES OUTER WAYS THE PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED! NASCAR IS ALL I MEAN ALL ABOUT “MONEY ” IT ISN’T A SPORT LIKE IS WAS STARTED YEARS AGO!
Well Chevy I’ll continue to buy your cars job well done we don’t need the negativity in this world we already dealing with enough glad to see your reaction to this foolishness no matter what color !!!🥊
Only God forgives. People get even.
They’re just saying that to let things blow over. Keep the blacks comm they don’t really care what was said.
Canceled my Vette order..
I am so sad that Chevrolet is dropping Kyle. He made a mistake and apologized. I guess your org. Doesn’t believe in forgiveness. I was always a Hendricks Motorsport fan but no more. I’m on to another manufacturer as like you treated Kyle I hope all the Chevy fans will treat you. Not sure who is so updiddy in your company but very disappointed in how you handles this matter.
Maybe he thought his minority card bought him more than it did?
There are people out there that think they’re in with the black community because they had a NWA or Tupac poster or shirt.
For Nascar, in the long run, some added heat helps more than it hurts; as long as it gets dished out fairly evenly. Driver and pit skirmishes being the better version of heat.
Can someone recommend Denim Dresses? Thanks xxx