NASCAR’s Noah Gragson, Team Part Ways After Social Media Activity Suspension, per Report

The rookie was disciplined for liking an Instagram meme making light of George Floyd’s death.

Legacy Motor Club has parted ways with NASCAR driver Noah Gragson, and he will not drive for the team for the rest of the season, according to a Tuesday morning report from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.

Gragson, 25, was suspended indefinitely Saturday for what NASCAR termed his “actions on social media.” The Associated Press later reported that those actions included liking a meme on Instagram making light of George Floyd’s murder by Derek Chauvin in May 2020.

The team announced Tuesday that Mike Rockenfeller, a German road-course driver, will drive Gragson’s former No. 42 car for the next two races.

After news of his suspension broke Saturday morning, Gragson tweeted, “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.”

In his first full season in the NASCAR Cup Series, Gragson struggled, placing 12th in Atlanta for his best finish of the season. He currently sits in 33rd place in the series standings.