NASCAR Driver Noah Gragson Suspended Indefinitely Over 'Insensitive George Floyd Photo'

NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has been indefinitely suspended after liking an insensitive meme about George Floyd's murder.

NASCAR driver Noah Gragson has been placed under indefinite suspension after liking an insensitive meme about George Floyd's murder in 2020. Legacy Motor Club, Gragson's team, released a statement expressing their disappointment and stating that his actions do not align with their values. In response, Josh Berry drove the No. 42 car for this weekend's Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway. NASCAR expressed their support for Legacy Motor Club's decision, stating that Gragson has violated the Member Conduct section of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book.

The incident came to light when TMZ reported that Gragson's Instagram account had liked a meme featuring a photoshopped image of George Floyd's face on Sebastian the crab from Disney's The Little Mermaid, with the text "Under Da Knee, Under Da Knee." Gragson took to Twitter to express his disappointment in himself, acknowledging the severity of the situation and apologizing for his actions.

According to the Cup Rule Book, NASCAR members are prohibited from making public statements or communications that criticize, ridicule, or disparage another person based on their race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition. Violation of this rule can result in fines or indefinite suspension.

Gragson, who is currently in his first full season in the Cup Series, is ranked 33rd in the Cup Series standings. It is worth noting that in June 2020, fellow driver Bubba Wallace wore a Black Lives Matter shirt during a pre-race ceremony and called on NASCAR to ban Confederate battle flags from race tracks. NASCAR responded by prohibiting the use of Confederate battle flags in any official capacity.

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