News/Commentary

NASCAR driver booted indefinitely for ‘liking’ meme that disparaged George Floyd

August 6, 2023 | | Print Article

NASCAR has indefinitely suspended a young driver for the grave sin of liking an unflattering meme of George Floyd, one of the left’s most hallowed martyr figures.

First-year driver Noah Gragson was barred from competition by NASCAR and Legacy Motor Club on the day before he was to participate in the FireKeepers Casino 400 which is being held at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, a punishment that was first reported by TMZ and serves as another example that cancel culture is alive and well in professional racing.

The offensive meme featured the head of the career criminal and drug addict who perished while resisting arrest in a 2020 encounter with Minneapolis Police officers. Floyd’s head was depicted on a crablike body with the caption “under da knee,” referring to the viral 9 1/2 minute video of Floyd’s final moments that sparked violent race riots across the nation and served as the impetus for the defund the police movement.

“We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team,” the Legacy Motor Club team said in a statement. “Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan.”

Gragson quickly groveled and begged for forgiveness but his career – if it is allowed to continue – will likely forever have a black mark on it now that he has been tarred and feathered as a racist by the thought police.

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

“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 said in a statement.

Gragson’s offensive free speech of merely liking a meme over two months ago is something that would have likely gone unnoticed were it not for the work of a crusading reporter who brought it to the attention of Legacy Motor Club and NASCAR.

Frontstretch reporter Daniel McFadin – who snitched on Gragson – self-righteously defended his head hunting on Twitter/X.

“Noah Gragson made a big mistake.  I did my due diligence to make sure it was real,” he said. My @Frontstretch column on Gragson’s deserved suspension.”

“Good,” McFadin boasted in his article on his role in taking down Gragson. “NASCAR had to take this action.”

“George Floyd didn’t deserve to die. He didn’t deserve to have a meme mocking him. And that meme didn’t deserve Noah Gragson’s passive approval,” he added.

The move by NASCAR is just the latest example of how the organization has bent the knee since the Floyd riots, having previously gone all-in on the now infamous hate hoax perpetrated by black driver Bubba Wallace who poured fuel on the fire in June 2020 when he claimed that a garage door pull was a “noose” that was intended to be a message to him, drawing a frenzied response including a squad of FBI agents who descended upon Talladega Superspeedway.

After Wallace’s scam was exposed, then-President Donald J. Trump took to Twitter to shame the hoaxster.

Twitter/X owner Elon Musk posted a cryptic message to the platform on Saturday that may or may not be related to Gragson’s suspension.

“If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill. No limit. Please let us know,” Musk wrote.

The 25-year-old Gragson was in his first full season in the Cup series and is ranked number 33 in points. He was named Most Popular Driver in the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series.

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Chris Donaldson
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