Two Major Sponsors Dump Kyle Larson Following Racial Slur During iRacing Event

Kyle Larson (Photo: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Apparently NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson will be looking for a new ride when live series action returns. 

In the wake of his utterance of a racial slur during an iRacing event Sunday, Larson has seen much of his support in the NASCAR Cup Series quickly evaporate. 

Larson’s main sponsors McDonald’s and Credit One Bank both announced Monday that they were cutting ties with the Chip Ganassi Racing driver. 

“We were extremely disappointed and appalled to hear about this incident,” read a statement from McDonald’s. “The comments made by Kyle Larson are insensitive, offensive and not reflective of our inclusive values and will not be tolerated. McDonald’s is taking immediate action to terminate the relationship with Larson.” 

“As stated earlier, Credit One Bank denounces the highly offensive language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event,” read a statement from Credit One Bank. “In addition to the quick actions taken by NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing, Credit One Bank is terminating its sponsorship of Kyle Larson.”

NASCAR announced early Monday that was Larson would be suspended indefinitely for his utterance of the N-word during a live broadcast of a race. 

Chip Ganassi Racing also announced that they had suspended Larson indefinitely without pay. Chip Ganassi Racing announced their suspension of Larson before McDonald’s and Credit One Bank announced their decisions to cut ties with Larson. It’s unclear whether or not the decision by the sponsors to cut ties will force Chip Ganassi Racing to release Larson. Neither McDonald’s or Credit One Bank cut ties with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Chevrolet, which offers manufacturer support to Larson, also announced Monday they were suspending their relationship with the driver. 

“Chevrolet has suspended its relationship with Kyle Larson indefinitely, as we do not tolerate this behavior,” read a statement from Chevrolet. “We will continue to monitor the events surrounding Mr. Larson & are prepared to take additional action.”

Larson is in his seventh season running full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. He has six victories in 223 Cup Series starts since 2013. 

Comments

  1. Buh-bye!

    Can’t wait for Trump to get involved.

  2. Not Sure Of All The Details, Could Be Wrong? I’m Under Impression He Was Calling Them Out To See If They Could Really Hear HIM.Bad Choice for a Word! If that’s the situation. He Is One of the most talented drivers out there! i don’t care ! Being half Japanese himself, he has probably has hear some comments himself. once he is clear i would hire him in a minute!!!!!!!!!!!!! rembember the other KYLE THE REST IS HISTORY!!!!

  3. He didn’t think anyone could hear him so it’s ok? What kind of off the wall, backwards logic is that. Only racist people use that word Reg. How did it work out for Mel Gibson? How about Michael Richards (aka Kramer). Both were run out of Hollywood. There have been others too. Add Kyle Larson to the list.

    The second chance people are out in full force I see. Can someone tell me where I go to see what law states everyone gets a second chance. Seems I hear that a lot here. Yet, those second chances never come. Nobody ever talks about that. It’s easy to say but reality suggests otherwise. Kyle has lost all his sponsors. He’s done. Off to the land of broken racecar drivers. Jeremy Mayfield will show you around.

  4. I SAID IT WAS A BAD CHOICE FOR A WORD ! ARE YOU PERFECT JD? I KNOW I”M NOT! AFTER EASTER YOU HAVE NO SINS , SO YOU CAN CAST THE ROCK!!! THINK ABOUT IT !!! YOUR GONNA CALL ME OUT !!!!

  5. Kyle will have to sell off his personal jet aircraft and live off his retained earnings.

    I don’t feel sorry for him.

  6. YOUR SO WRONG KYLE WILL BE BACK

  7. DID HE DIRECT THAT TO ANYBODY PERSONALLY??? IF NOT WHAT REALLY IS THE PROBLEM?? SNOOP CAN CALL ONE OF HIS BOYS THAT , KYLE DIDN’NT EVEN DIRECT THAT TO A PERSON !! HOW OLD ARE YOU INFANTS? I”VE BEEN INVOLVED IN RACING FOR 50 YEARS, HOE ABOUT YOU?

  8. Thank you Kyle Larson for diverting us from that nasty bug that’s screwing up every ones life royally and giving us a good old American race controversy to squabble about.
    I’m just trying to keep track of the rationalizations for giving Larson a pass.
    * Most young people listen to rap music, all rap music is loaded with the N word and therefore young people have been programmed to use the N word casually.
    * It’s the media’s fault for blowing it out of proportion.
    * Larson’s rights to free speech are being violated
    * The n word should not be viewed as offensive if it’s not directed at a specific person.

    I think there’s another one that’s a little more confusing but goes something like this. If we can get a big black guy to beat the snot out of Larson then he deserves a shot at redemption. I don’t know, I may have read too much into that one.

  9. Got a new one.
    * It’s a PC world that’s the problem. We should all be more laid back and let folks be folks.

  10. Ding, got another.
    * The people judging Larson harshly are out of touch rich white people.

  11. I’m far from perfect but I am not a racist and I have never said that word. I’ve never heard anyone in everyday conversation use that word either.
    Look at the price he has already paid in under 24hrs. He lost all his sponsors. The next talented non racist driver will do just as well on the track. This has nothing to do with racing by the way. I would have assumed someone of your age would be smarter and could see that. Guess not.

  12. Like JD I’m far from perfect. Sometimes I speak what I’m thinking without knowing it. One time a woman was having her passport photo taken at the post office. As I walked by I said “you can take that picture 100 times, your still gonna be ugly” out loud. Talk about being embarrassed. I did apologize.
    Kyle was in his own home participating in a video game. He said that word, in the security of his own home, not realizing his words could be heard. He later apologized.
    Now come on and admit it, we’ve all muttered some colorful words in private. Does saying the N word make you racist? If so there are allot of racist black people
    I’m in no way what so ever defending Kyle Larson. When he chose to be a Cup driver, that elevated him to another level. He is supposed to be a spokesperson for his sponsors, and NASCAR. He failed.
    Does the punishment fit the crime? Some will say yes, like me, others will say no. I don’t think he’s a racist, but he screwed up big time, and will now suffer the consequences. Just my opinion.

  13. Larson was just FIRED. I love it when I’m right. Although anyone with half a brain should have seen it coming.

  14. Chip Ganassi Racing has parted ways with Kyle Larson. Words have consequences.

  15. Think of all the parents, who have to explain that word to their young children. When your a young child, these drivers are like gods, sometimes even down to the local levels.

  16. As a reminder, I opened these comments with a “Buh-bye!”

  17. Plugs 2020 says

    For a guy who despises Trump, dafella acts just like him. Just too stupid to realize it.

  18. Plugs, you are just too stupid to see the sarcasm, irony, satire and flattery. You know that imitation is the finest form of flattery, right?

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