DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Legacy Motor Club in tandem with NASCAR suspended 25-year-old driver Noah Gragson after the young driver reportedly liked a meme mocking George Floyd on social media.
On August 5th, Legacy Motor Club confirmed the suspension of Gragson via Twitter, sharing a brief statement condemning the driver’s online actions and announcing his replacement while the suspension stands.
“We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team. Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan.” – Legacy Motor Club
Gragson acknowledged the suspension on Twitter shortly after Legacy Motor Club made their announcement, chalking it up to him having “messed up plain and simple.”
“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.” – Noah Gragson
I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media.
I understand the severity of this situation.
I love and appreciate everyone.
I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple. https://t.co/PCX6iMJxRF— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023
NASCAR shared a statement on the matter as well, backing the decision to suspend Gragson, as well as imposing their own “indefinite suspension” on the driver due to violating an unspecified portion of NASCAR’s code of “Member Conduct.”
“NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson. 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.” – NASCAR
While NASCAR nor Legacy Motor Club went into specifics as to the social media post Gragson interacted with, screenshots of the offending post have been making the rounds online.
The post Gragson appears to have interacted with depicts the character Sebastian from the animated movie The Little Mermaid, with George Floyd’s face superimposed on the animated character with an accompanying caption that reads, “Under da knee, under da knee.”
Gragson’s suspension comes amid his first full season in the Cup series, currently ranking 33rd in points within the division. While officials haven’t alluded to how long the suspension may last, this could serve as Gragson’s last season with Legacy Motor Club in general, as the team has reportedly been considering replacing Gragson with John Hunter Nemechek after this season.
Gregory Hoyt is a former contributor to outlets such as Law Enforcement Today and Red Voice Media, and current host of The Breakdown with Greg Hoyt. Based out of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Hoyt is a staunch and outspoken advocate of law enforcement and first responders, while also harboring the unique experience of having spent nearly 5 years in prison. Since then, he's used his unique perspective to offer support and commentary about the criminal justice system. When not working or combating bad ideas, Hoyt also leisurely studies economics, history, and law.