NASCAR officials have reinstated Kyle Larson more than six months after his suspension for the use of a racial slur during an iRacing event.
Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) fired Larson on April 14, 2020, one day after NASCAR barred him indefinitely as part of a behavioral penalty. Larson was mandated to complete sensitivity training at NASCAR’s direction as a condition for reinstatement, but will also have continued requirements to fulfill to keep his NASCAR membership current.
“NASCAR continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion across our sport,” the sanctioning body said in an official statement. “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. Larson’s indefinite suspension has been lifted. Under the terms of his reinstatement, he will be cleared to return to all NASCAR racing activities effective January 1, 2021.”
Those terms for reinstatement include several speaking engagements, spaced out through 2023, where Larson will share his experiences with NASCAR’s weekly series, e-sports and dirt-racing communities. He will also be required to take further training and engagement classes through 2023, and will continue his work with the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) and Rev Racing, providing coaching and mentorship for those initiatives.
During his suspension from NASCAR, Larson was a regular winner in sprint car competition, including a series-best 12 victories on the World of Outlaws tour, which required Larson to complete sensitivity training within 30 days of the incident to be cleared for competition. Larson won in USAC’s Silver Crown division, most recently taking the Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.
Larson has six victories in 223 NASCAR Cup Series starts. He joined the circuit full-time in 2014 with Ganassi’s operation. The California native has also tallied 12 Xfinity Series wins and two victories in Gander Trucks competition.
For more information: nascar.com.
