LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and Legacy Motor Club following his action of liking an insensitive meme on social media. The meme contained a photo of George Floyd's face, which has sparked significant controversy and outrage.
Floyd was an African-American man whose death in police custody on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparked widespread protests and led to a global outcry against police brutality and racial injustice. The incident gained international attention after a bystander's video showed a police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes, even as Floyd repeatedly said he couldn't breathe. Floyd's case became a rallying point for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Who is Noah Gragson?
Noah Gragson is an American professional stock car racing driver. He was born on July 15, 1998, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gragson is known for his participation in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he has been a regular competitor. He began his racing career at a young age, competing in various racing series before making his way to NASCAR. He joined the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017 and showed promise with strong performances.
In 2019, Gragson moved up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving for JR Motorsports, a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr and three others. Since then, he has been a notable contender in the Xfinity Series, earning several wins and showcasing his talent on the track. Gragson is known for his aggressive driving style. Last year, he won the Xfinity Series' Most Popular Driver award. He has developed a significant fan following throughout his racing career, particularly among younger NASCAR enthusiasts.
'I messed up plain and simple'
"I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media," Gragson posted in a tweet on Saturday, August 5, alongside a picture of the news of his suspension. He added, "I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple."
Meanwhile, NASCAR announced that Gragson violated the member conduct of its rule book, but they did not provide specific details about the nature of the violation. They said in a statement, "NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson. 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." "His actions do not represent the values of our team," Legacy Motor Club said in a statement.
