Kyle Larson reinstated to compete in NASCAR in 2021
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Larson can return to NASCAR competition next season following a long suspension for using a racial slur while playing a video game.
He was suspended in April for after he used the n-word while playing an online racing game in which viewers could follow along. He was dropped by his sponsors and fired by Chip Ganassi Racing.
Larson, who is half-Japanese, spent the last six months immersed in diversity programs that helped him gain an understanding of racial injustice. He did not apply for reinstatement until last week and the clearance came Monday.
“The
work I’ve done over the last six months has had a major impact on me. I
will make the most of this opportunity and look forward to the future,”
Larson said.
Larson has spent significant time with retired
soccer star Tony Sanneh, whose foundation works on youth development and
empowerment in the Minneapolis area. Larson also met with former
Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee and visited her foundation in East St.
Louis, and also spoke with Max Siegel, the CEO of USA Track & Field
who also runs a NASCAR-sanctioned team that is part of the stock car
series’ diversity program.
Larson continued work he’d already
been doing with the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia. The
nonprofit helps minorities advance in motorsports and Jysir Fisher, one
of its students, had celebrated with Larson in victory lane following a
win in Delaware last October.
He put the work in unpublicized in an effort to prove his motives were sincere.
“NASCAR
continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion across our sport. Kyle
Larson has fulfilled the requirements set by NASCAR and has taken
several voluntary measures to better educate himself so that he can use
his platform to help bridge the divide in our country,” NASCAR said in a
statement.
Larson also has spent the time away from NASCAR
racing sprint cars, his passion, with a phenomenal success rate. He’s
won 41 times so far this year and rebuilt a devout fanbase along the
way.
The time at the dirt tracks made for a blissful summer for
Larson and his family, which accompanied him nearly every weekend. His
two children were victory lane fixtures and his wife ran his souvenir
challenge.
Despite the enjoyable family time, Larson insisted he wanted to return to NASCAR.
He
was considered the top free agent prospect before his firing, which
ended eight seasons with Chip Ganassi Racing. Larson has long been
considered a future star for NASCAR and presumably had his pick of cars
for 2021.
Instead, he’s hoping sponsors will agree to back him
for a return to NASCAR. Larson is thought to be getting an open seat at
Hendrick Motorsports, although the car number and sponsor affiliations
are not clear.
Among the hurdles Larson must clear is that
Hendrick is tied to Chevrolet, one of the brands that cut ties with
Larson in April. The current opening at Hendrick is also an entry that
relied on heavy sponsorship from Chevy related partners and products.