Noah Gragson, a NASCAR driver, is currently “under indefinite suspension” after being claimed to have liked an inappropriate meme about George Floyd’s 2020 murder.
Legacy Motor Club issued a statement on Saturday regarding Gragson’s suspension, stating that his actions “do not represent the values of our team.” Josh Berry piloted the No. 42 vehicle in this weekend’s Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway.
“NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson,” the organization tweeted on Saturday. “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.”
Over the weekend, TMZ reported that Gragson’s Instagram account liked a meme depicting George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in 2020 after former Derek Chauvin pinned his knee to Floyd’s neck for around nine minutes.
The image Gragson, 25, reportedly liked on Instagram depicted a live-action version of Sebastian the crab from Disney’s The Little Mermaid, with a shot of Floyd’s face placed on top of him and the caption “Under Da Knee, Under Da Knee.”
“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media,” Gragson tweeted Saturday. “I recognize the gravity of the situation. “I love and appreciate everybody.”
“I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are,” he stated. “I messed up plain and simple.”
According to NBC Sports, Section 4.3.E of the Cup Rule Book states that NASCAR members “shall not make or cause to be made a public statement and/or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, colour, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”
The outlet also cited Section 4.4.D, which states that “statement and/or communication made public (including social media platforms) that demeans, criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, colour, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition” could result in a fine or indefinite suspension.
Gragson is in his first full season in the Cup Series and currently ranks 33rd in the standings, according to ESPN.
In June 2020, a month after Floyd’s killing spurred nationwide protests, Gragson’s co-driver Bubba Wallace wore a Black Lives Matter jersey to a pre-race ceremony in Atlanta. Wallace subsequently urged NASCAR to remove Confederate battle flags from race facilities, and the organization responded by prohibiting their use in “any official” role.
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