NASCAR bans Noah Gragson from Cup series over liked Instagram post

NASCAR driver Noah Gragson will not be racing in the Cup Series Sunday after being indefinitely suspended for his Instagram activity.

Gragson, 25, liked a meme that mocked George Floyd, a black man killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, on Instagram, which was captured in screenshots. Legacy Motor Club subsequently suspended Gragson but did not cite this specific meme. The NASCAR driver has over 120,000 followers but has not posted on the platform in over a year.

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(AP Photo/John Raoux)

“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media. I understand the severity of this situation,” Gragson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I love and appreciate everyone. I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”

The Cup team of Chevrolets Legacy Motor Club, previously known as Petty GMS, included Gragson’s teammates, such as Jimmie Jones, driving no. 84, Erik Jones driving with Petty’s original No. 43. Now Josh Berry, 32, will drive Gragson’s former no. 42.

Legacy Motor Club cited Gragson’s actions that “do not represent the values of our team” as the reason for the suspension.

“NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson,” NASCAR posted on X. “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.”

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While Gragson is ranked 33rd in points, he does not have a top-10 finish this season.

Berry, who is slated to race in Michigan Sunday, is ranked fifth and has eight top-five finishes in the 2023 season.