Legacy Motor Club made a last-minute change ahead of Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway, swapping out Noah Gragson for Josh Berry as the driver of the No. 42 car.
It's a disciplinary measure against Gragson, who has been suspended indefinitely by both Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR after liking an insensitive meme about George Floyd on one of his personal social media accounts. Because there is no timeline on the suspension, the NASCAR rookie is in danger of missing more races.
Gragson, who has two top-20 finishes this year, was set to enter the FireKeepers Casino 400 ranked 33rd in the NASCAR Cup Series standings, 17 places out of a postseason berth. Saturday's decision came just before practice at Michigan International Speedway.
Here's what you need to know about why Gragson was suspended, and what he had to say about the decision.
What did Noah Gragson do?
Legacy Motor Club suspended Gragson indefinitely after he liked a meme that made light of George Floyd's death at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Floyd, who is Black, died on May 25, 2020 after Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, despite the former saying multiple times, "I can't breathe." Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice and systemic racism, and Floyd himself has become a symbol of the racial justice movement.
Numerous sports leagues and franchises across the United States released statements after Chauvin was convicted in April 2021 on numerous counts for his role in Floyd's death.
Once word of Gragson's like began circulating on social media, Legacy Motor Club made the quick decision to suspend the rookie indefinitely. NASCAR later followed suit and issued support of the ban.
George Floyd meme, explained
According to a report by TMZ, the meme Gragson liked depicted an image of Floyd's head superimposed on Sebastian the crab from the 2023 live-action remake of the movie, "The Little Mermaid."
The image was captioned "Under da knee, under da knee" a reference to both the song "Under the Sea" and the fact Chauvin placed his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes.
The meme is intended to mock Floyd's death, and Legacy Motor Club was quick to condemn Gragson's decision to like it.
Noah Gragson statement
Gragson tweeted out a statement on Saturday, apologizing for his actions.
"I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media," Gragson said, adding, "I try to treat everyone equally no matter who they are."
I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media.
— Noah Gragson (@NoahGragson) August 5, 2023
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
NASCAR statement
NASCAR announced its support for Gragson's suspension on Saturday, while also confirming it had suspended Gragson under the member conduct section of its rule book.
"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," the organization's statement read.
Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 is the 23rd race of the NASCAR Cup Series season, with three more to follow before the NASCAR playoffs begin in September.
Legacy Motor Club statement
Legacy Motor Club released a brief statement on Saturday announcing Gragson's suspension.
"We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team," the team said.
— LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (@LegacyMotorclub) August 5, 2023
Legacy Motor Club also confirmed Berry will race in Gragson's No. 42 car in the FireKeepers Casino 400 on Sunday.
