The twenty-two-year-old Kaulig Racing driver Daniel Dye landed himself in trouble after making homophobic remarks.

Daniel Dye, who drives the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was opening trading cards on his live stream when he started mocking the IndyCar Series driver David Malukas.

He said, “As soon as I start doing David Maluka's gay voice, I get gold, so let’s keep it going." He continued, “It’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, yaas, we race Indianapolis. Love Indianapolis and Roger Penske. I love Roger. Love you, Roger," Dye said while putting on a mocking tone.

Following the incident, Kaulig Racing indefinitely suspended the twenty-two-year-old and was also penalised under section 4.3.C of the NASCAR rule book. 

It states, “NASCAR Members shall not make…a public statement or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, s****** orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”

Later, Dye issued a public apology, showing deep regret for his careless conduct. “I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people. I’m sorry to anyone who was offended,” mentioned Dye in his long apology post.

However, there's a history of violation

This is not the first time that Dye has been suspended for something inappropriate. In 2022, he faced an ARCA ban after a felony battery arrest for a high school prank that involved hitting a classmate in his groin.

It was later resolved through an anger management class, community service and paying restitution to the victim.

But the history of violation in NASCAR is not limited to Daniel Dye only. Kyle Larson was also suspended for using a racial slur on a livestream during a virtual race in 2020. Chip Ganassi Racing made sure to handle this as strictly as they could by holding off his pay.

Larson also apologised later by stating, “I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever be said.” Larson, being of Japanese descent himself, stated that there is “no excuse” for such a comment. He was made to attend a sensitivity training course following this incident.

Whether such events continue or cease to exist in the future, no one can tell. Whether the penalties were mild or strict, it is for the audience to decide. But one thing is for sure, both drivers realised the hard way what careless usage of words can lead them to.

Read more at the RFK Racing Digest!

Written by

Somadhand Das

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi