NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely after a screenshot appeared to show that he "liked" an offensive meme on Instagram. The meme mocked George Floyd, a Black man who was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in 2020.
Legacy Motor Club released a statement on Twitter/X on August 5, 2023, announcing that Gragson was suspended and would not participate in the NASCAR Cup Series race in Michigan.
"We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team," the statement from Legacy Motor Club read.
Gragson responded to the Tweet from Legacy Motor Club with an apology.
"I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media," he wrote. "I understand the severity of this situation."
He added that he "loves and appreciates everyone." "I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple," he wrote.
NASCAR released a statement supporting the decision to suspend Gragson.
"NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson," the statement on Twitter/X read. "Following his actions on social media, NASCAR has determined that Gragson has violated the Member Conduct section of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book and has placed him under indefinite suspension."
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According to NBC Sports, Section 4.3.E of the Cup Rule Book says “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."
