Who Is Kyle Larson? NASCAR Driver Suspended Indefinitely For Saying N-Word On Stream

NASCAR has suspended Kyle Larson indefinitely and without pay after the driver said a racial slur during a live stream. The 27-year-old was playing the online driving simulation game, “iRacing,” during a stream when he said the n-word while experiencing difficulty with his headset.

“I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever be said,” Larson said. “There is no excuse for that. I wasn't raised that way. 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. But I just want to let you all know how sorry I am and I hope everybody is staying safe during these crazy times.”

In addition to the suspension, Larson has also been suspended without pay by Chip Ganassi Racing. The Northern California native will also be required by NASCAR to complete a sensitivity training course in order to be reinstated.

“NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday's iRacing event,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Our Member Conduct Guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base.”

Larson is in his seventh season competing at the Cup level, the highest tier of professional racing conducted by NASCAR. He one of NASCAR's top stars, finishing sixth in the 2019 cup series standings.

Larson, who is half Japanese, has been heavily featured in NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” program and is the only Japanese-descendent driver to win a race in the association’s history.

NASCAR has been using “iRacing” live streams to provide virtual racing content to fans amidst the current climate. The current season was suspended after only four races due to the spread of coronavirus.