10 August 2023 , 15:46
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NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has been suspended by Legacy Motor Club and the NASCAR sanctioning body following his activities on social media.
The suspension comes after Gragson liked an Instagram post that appeared to mock the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in 2020. The race club, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson and Maury Gallagher, announced the suspension without specifying the exact reason.
Gragson's suspension is indefinite, and he will be replaced by Josh Berry for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan. A statement on social media confirmed: "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."
In response to his suspension, Gragson released his own statement expressing remorse for his actions and emphasising the importance of treating all people equally. "I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media," Gragson said. "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, who was the runner-up in the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship, is currently a rookie in the Cup Series and sits in 33rd position in the most recent standings.
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NASCAR also issued a statement supporting Legacy Motor Club's decision to issue the suspension. They also determined that Gragson's actions violated the Member Conduct section of the rule book, reports the Express US.
According to Section 4.3.E of the Cup Rule Book, NASCAR members are prohibited from making public statements or communications that criticise, ridicule, or disparage another person based on various characteristics such as race, gender, or religion. Section 4.4.D further states that actions, including public statements on social media, that demean or disparage others based on these characteristics can result in fines and/or indefinite suspension.
Josh Berry replaces Noah Gragson for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)Series regular Berry replaced Gragson for last weekend's race at Michigan is Xfinity. Berry has made multiple starts this year as a substitute driver 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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