NASCAR star Noah Gragson breaks silence after being suspended

NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has released his first statement after being suspended by Legacy Motor Club and the NASCAR sanctioning body due to his activities on social media. Gragson drew recent attention for liking an Instagram post that seemingly mocked the tragic murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in 2020.

After finding out about Gragson’s social media activity, the race club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson and Maury Gallagher, made a statement announcing the suspension of Gragson without specifying the exact reason. The statement confirmed his suspension from the team indefinitely.

“We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team. Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan,” wrote the race team on social media.

In reaction to their statement, Gragson commented on the post to express sorrow for his actions. He emphasized the importance of treating all people equally.

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“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media,” Gragson posted on Twitter. “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.” Gragson was the runner-up in the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and is now a rookie in the Cup Series this year, currently holding the 33rd position in points.

NASCAR also followed up with a statement in support of Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend the racer – his actions, whether accidental or purposely, violate the NASCAR rulebook.

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“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.”

As per the Cup Rule Book, Section 4.3.E prohibits NASCAR Members from making public statements or communications that criticize, ridicule, or disparage another person based on their race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.

Section 4.4.D outlines that member actions, including statements and communications made public, whether on social media platforms or otherwise, that demean, criticize, ridicule, or disparage another person based on their race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition could result in fines and/or an indefinite suspension.

Replacing Gragson, Xfinity Series regular Josh Berry will drive the #42 car at Michigan this weekend. Berry has made multiple starts this year, substituting for injured drivers Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman at Hendrick Motorsports. He is set to join the Cup series full-time next year, taking over the #4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford after Kevin Harvick’s retirement.

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