Chip Ganassi Racing announced Tuesday that Kyle Larson is out and is no longer a part of the organization.
“After much consideration, Chip Ganassi Racing has determined that it will end its relationship with driver Kyle Larson. As we said before, the comments that Kyle made were both offensive and unacceptable especially given the values of our organization. As we continued to evaluate the situation with all the relevant parties, it became obvious that this was the only appropriate course of action to take.“
The team did not announce a replacement.
Chevrolet also stated Tuesday: “As previously stated, Chevrolet does not tolerate the inappropriate behavior exhibited by Kyle Larson. As a result, Chevrolet is immediately terminating its relationship with Mr. Larson.”
Chip Ganassi Racing announced Monday that it had suspended Larson without pay after he used a racial slur during an iRacing event Sunday night. NASCAR announced Monday that it had suspended Larson indefinitely and would require him to take sensitivity training.
Larson apologized Monday, saying “I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever be said and there’s no excuse for that.”
McDonald’s, Credit One Bank and Clover all announced Monday they were terminating their sponsorship of Larson. That meant that Ganassi could run Larson with an unfunded car and part ways with Larson.
So ends Larson’s time with car owner Chip Ganassi, who brought him from sprint cars to stock cars and helped nurture the 27-year-old driver’s development.
Larson drove for Turner Scott Motorsports, which had ties to Chip Ganassi Racing, in 2013 in the Xfinity Series. Larson continued driving in the Xfinity Series in 2014 but also drove full-time in Cup that season with Chip Ganassi Racing, the only organization Larson has raced for in Cup.
Larson was the 2014 Cup Rookie of the Year. He went on to win six Cup points races, the 2019 All-Star Race and make the playoffs in each of the past four years.
Larson was in the last year of his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing and expected to be among the top free agents in a robust market for the 2021 season before his comment Sunday night. He had expressed loyalty to Ganassi for taking a chance on him and also for allowing him to continue racing sprint cars during the NASCAR season.
Larson’s sprint car team also faces repercussions. Chevrolet was a partner of his World of Outlaw sprint car operation.
