BROOKLYN, Mich: LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced Saturday morning that that have parked NASCAR Cup Series rookie Noah Gragson for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway for liking a racially insensitive post targeting George Floyd on Instagram.
In a statement, LMC said the suspension was regarding his “actions that do not represent the values of our team.” The team did not elaborate on the length of the suspension.
NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry will replace Gragson and make his debut for the Statesville, N.C. team on Sunday.
Berry, who will join the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024 with Stewart-Haas Racing has eight Cup starts this season, all for Hendrick Motorsports, has delivered one top-five and three top-10 finishes.
Berry is also the pole sitter for Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Cabo Wabo 250 at the 2.0-mile speedway.
Shortly after LMC issued the statement, Gragson acknolowdged the suspension and issued the following statement on social media, “I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate every one. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”
Sunday’s race will mark the second Cup race Gragson will be sidelined this season. In June, Gragson sat out the Cup event at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway while recovering from concussion-like symptoms stemming from a violent crash at World Wide Technology at Gateway the weekend prior.
After 22 races in 2023, Gragson sits a distant 33rd in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings. The 23-year old Xfinity Series winner has yet to score a top-10 finish this season, and has earned a season high of 12th at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway in the spring.
NASCAR later issued the following statement, “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.”
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I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media.
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. https://t.co/PCX6iMJxRF— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023
