Chip Ganassi Racing removed Kyle Larson from their team on Tuesday, following the withdrawal of the majority of his sponsors. This action was taken due to Larson using a racial slur during an online iRacing event held on Sunday.
In a statement, Ganassi announced: “After careful consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has decided to sever ties with driver Kyle Larson. The remarks made by Kyle were offensive and inappropriate, especially in light of our organization’s values. Upon reviewing the situation with all involved parties, it was clear that this was the necessary action to take.”
During Sunday’s iRacing event, Larson uttered a racial slur after losing communication with his spotter. While testing his microphone, Larson used the offensive term towards his white spotter. Following this incident, Ganassi suspended Larson without pay on Monday, ultimately resulting in Nascar imposing an indefinite suspension.
Subsequently, Larson faced backlash from his sponsors, including McDonald’s, Credit Bank One, and Chevrolet, who disapproved of his remarks and decided to end their partnerships with the 27-year-old driver.
Larson posted a video apology on his social media, expressing regret for his actions: “I made a mistake and used a word that should never be uttered. There is no excuse for it. It goes against my upbringing and is an unforgivable thing to say. I deeply apologize to my family, friends, partners, the Nascar community, and particularly the African-American community. I acknowledge the irreparable harm caused and take full responsibility.”
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