Nascar Suspends Daniel Dye For 'insensitive Comments' About Indycar's David Malukas

Driver Daniel Dye has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR for “insensitive comments made during a caller livestream,” nan statement announced Tuesday.

The full-time driver successful nan NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was besides suspended indefinitely by his team, Kaulig Racing.

In nan video, Dye imitated IndyCar driver David Malukas. At 1 constituent during nan livestream, Dye referred to nan sound he had utilized arsenic a “David Malukas cheery voice.”

According to a NASCAR news release, Dye was punished for violating a norm that states members should not make “a nationalist connection aliases connection that criticizes, ridicules, aliases different disparages different personification based upon that person’s race, color, creed, nationalist origin, gender, intersexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, aliases handicapping condition.”

“Dye utilized connection that officials deemed unacceptable, resulting successful Tuesday’s suspension,” NASCAR stated. “Dye must complete sensitivity training earlier he whitethorn return to competition.”

On Tuesday, Dye posted a connection connected societal media, successful which he apologized to Malukas and others for his “careless comments.”

“I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people,” Dye wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s not really I want to correspond myself.

“I person immoderate adjacent friends successful nan LGBTQ+ organization who I would ne'er want to consciousness little of themselves because of what I said, and that’s precisely why I should clasp myself to a higher standard. In talking pinch them, I recognize that a existent friend would cognize amended than to enactment nan measurement I did and for that I request to beryllium a amended friend. What I said doesn’t bespeak really I consciousness astir them aliases anyone else.

“I didn’t deliberation capable earlier I spoke, and I successful nary measurement meant immoderate harm. I cognize that volition does not erase effect and I request to do better.”

Malukas and his team, Team Penske, did not instantly respond connected Wednesday to requests for comment.

Dye, 22, was besides suspended 4 years agone arsenic a driver successful nan ARCA series, which NASCAR owns. He had been arrested and charged pinch felony artillery for allegedly punching a precocious schoolhouse classmate successful nan groin area. He was reinstated erstwhile nan complaint was reduced to a misdemeanor.

In 49 Truck Series starts, Dye has 2 finishes successful nan Top 5 and 10 finishes successful nan Top 10, earning 1 rod position. He is successful 13th spot done 3 races this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.