NASCAR indefinitely suspends Truck Series driver Daniel Dye for disparaging remarks about IndyCar's David Malukas
NASCAR indefinitely suspended Craftsman Truck Series driver Daniel Dye on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, for violating the NASCAR Member Code of Conduct.[1] The suspension followed a livestream in which Dye made disparaging comments about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas Jr., mimicking his voice and using the term "gay" in a derogatory context.[1][2]
Dye, 21, from Birmingham, Alabama, competes full-time in the No. 43 Chevrolet for GMS Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, where he secured one victory during the 2024 season at Bristol Motor Speedway.[3] As part of the suspension, NASCAR required Dye to complete sensitivity training approved by the sanctioning body before he becomes eligible for reinstatement.[1]
Dye issued a public apology on X, formerly Twitter, stating: "I want to first apologize to David Malukas. I recently went on a live stream with some friends and made some careless comments. I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people. I’m sorry to anyone who was offended."[2] He added that the remarks did not reflect his views and committed to personal improvement and greater awareness.
This marks the second suspension of Dye's stock car racing career. In March 2021, at age 18, he was indefinitely suspended by the ARCA Menards Series, a NASCAR-owned series, after being charged with felony battery stemming from an altercation at his high school in which he punched a classmate.[4][5] The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor assault following a plea deal, and Dye was reinstated after completing requirements.
Malukas Jr., 22, a Lithuanian-American driver, raced full-time for Dale Coyne Racing in IndyCar during the 2023 season and signed with A.J. Foyt Enterprises for 2025 after missing 2024 due to injury.[6] He has not publicly commented on the incident.
Sources
- NASCAR.com, "NASCAR indefinitely suspends Daniel Dye", November 12, 2024, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/11/12/nascar-indefinitely-suspends-daniel-dye/
- X.com (Daniel Dye), "Apology statement", November 12, 2024, https://x.com/DanielDyeRacing/status/1856429911739788793
- NASCAR.com, "2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver profiles", accessed November 2024, https://www.nascar.com/2024/01/30/2024-nascar-craftsman-truck-series-driver-lineup/
- ARCA Menards Series (via NASCAR.com), "ARCA Menards Series suspends Daniel Dye indefinitely", March 25, 2021, https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2021/03/25/arca-menards-series-driver-daniel-dye-suspended-indefinitely/
- Fox Sports, "NASCAR Truck Series driver Daniel Dye suspended indefinitely", November 12, 2024, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/nascar-truck-series-driver-daniel-dye-suspended-indefinitely-for-comments-about-indycars-david-malukas
- IndyCar.com, "David Malukas Jr. joins A.J. Foyt Enterprises", October 24, 2024, https://www.indycar.com/news/2024/10/10-24-aj-foyt-malukas
