NASCAR has lifted the suspension on Noah Gragson following his previous penalization for endorsing a George Floyd meme on social media. The reinstatement comes after Gragson underwent diversity and inclusion training with NASCAR’s partners at RISE. The ex-Legacy Motor Club driver also issued an independent statement concerning his reinstatement.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to NASCAR for reinstating me. Over the past several weeks, I have dedicated myself to personal growth and reflection, and I believe I have become a better person because of it,” Gragson said. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and the NASCAR industry.
“I am now more focused and committed than ever to representing my future team in the best way possible. I’m eager to get back behind the wheel and compete at the highest level, giving it my all on and off the track. Thank you to everyone who have been a part of this journey, and I can’t wait to make the most of this second chance.”
Gragson left Legacy Motor Club following his suspension, with the team revealing that John Hunter Nemechek will now drive the No. 42 car. In his debut season in the Cup series, Gragson ranked 33rd and hasn’t achieved any top-10 finishes.
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Gragson had been released from his contract with the Legacy Motor Club following dual suspensions by NASCAR and Legacy. The suspensions stemmed from Gragson’s social media activity, specifically when he “liked” a controversial meme related to George Floyd.
Following these events, Gragson requested to be released from his contract. This move came just as he was slated to start NASCAR’s “sensitivity training,” or as regular people call it, a communist struggle session or whatever you pick to describe socially acceptable brainwashing.
The Legacy Motor Club swiftly announced former Le Mans champion Mike Rockenfeller as Gragson’s temporary replacement for the upcoming races. Gragson expressed remorse in a statement, saying, “I have asked LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to release me from my contract so I can take time to work through the NASCAR reinstatement process.”
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Legacy Motor Club’s CEO, Cal Wells III, responded to Gragson’s departure, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation while emphasizing Gragson’s talent and charisma.
NASCAR fans largely viewed Gragson’s suspension as an infringement on free speech, later threatening to boycott NASCAR in solidarity.
What are your thoughts on his return? Let us know in the comments below and across social media.
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