NASCAR indefinitely suspended Craftsman Truck Series driver Daniel Dye on November 4, 2024, for violating the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct through social media activity.[1][2] The suspension requires Dye to complete sensitivity training before any consideration for reinstatement.
Dye, 21, who has competed part-time in the Truck Series driving the No. 10 Toyota for GRF Motorsports in 2024, made the remarks during a livestream, mimicking the voice of NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas Jr. and using a homophobic slur by describing it as "gay."[1][3]
Dye issued a public apology on X, formerly Twitter, stating he chose his words poorly, did not intend harm, and committed to educating himself on respect and inclusivity.[2][3] He noted friends in the LGBTQ+ community and the need to hold himself to a higher standard.
Malukas, a 22-year-old Lithuanian-American driver for A.J. Foyt Racing in IndyCar, has not publicly commented on the incident.[4]
This marks the second suspension of Dye's career. In February 2021, at age 18, ARCA indefinitely suspended him after an arrest on a felony battery charge stemming from a high school altercation where he punched a classmate in the groin area; the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor assault following a plea deal, and he was reinstated.[5][6]
Sources
- NASCAR, "NASCAR indefinitely suspends Truck Series driver Daniel Dye", November 4, 2024, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/11/04/nascar-indefinitely-suspends-truck-series-driver-daniel-dye/
- Fox News, "NASCAR driver Daniel Dye suspended indefinitely after disparaging remarks about IndyCar driver", November 5, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nascar-driver-daniel-dye-suspended-indefinitely-disparaging-remarks-indycar-driver
- ESPN, "NASCAR suspends Truck Series driver Daniel Dye indefinitely for social media activity", November 4, 2024, https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/42390845/nascar-suspends-daniel-dye-indefinitely-social-media-activity
- IndyCar.com, "David Malukas Jr. driver page", accessed November 2024, https://www.indycar.com/Drivers/David-Malukas-Jr
- NASCAR, "ARCA indefinitely suspends Daniel Dye", February 23, 2021, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/02/23/arca-menards-series-driver-daniel-dye-indefinitely-suspended/
- Autoweek, "ARCA driver Daniel Dye arrested on felony battery charge", February 22, 2021, https://www.autoweek.com/racing/arca-menards-series/a35712345/arca-driver-daniel-dye-arrested-on-felony-battery-charge/