Kyle Larson

Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that it has signed driver Kyle Larson to a multi-year contract.

NASCAR suspended Larson indefinitely for using a racial slur during an April 12 iRacing event. Chip Ganassi Racing soon severed ties with Larson, who has not raced on the NASCAR Cup Series since March 8. 

The 28-year-old completed mandatory sensitivity training as part of his condition for reinstatement, per Dustin Long of NBC Sports. He applied for reinstatement in mid-October, and NASCAR approved his application on Oct. 19.

Larson is eligible to return to NASCAR racing activities on Jan. 1, 2021. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season begins on Feb. 14 with the Daytona 500.

He must complete numerous conditions to keep his reinstatement intact, per NASCAR.com.

"Those terms for reinstatement include several speaking engagements, each spaced out through 2023, where Larson will share his experiences with NASCAR’s weekly series, e-sports and dirt-racing communities. He will also be required to take further training and engagement classes through 2023, plus continue his work with the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) and Rev Racing, providing coaching and mentorship for those initiatives."

Larson finished in the top nine in the NASCAR Cup Series standings from 2016-19, with a high of sixth in 2019.

He'll drive the No. 5 Chevrolet for a Hendrick Motorsports team that will also feature Alex Bowman, William Byron and Chase Elliott racing full time in 2021.

NASCAR reinstated Kyle Larson effective Jan. 1, ending an indefinite suspension handed down after he used a racist slur during an iRacing event in April.

According to NASCAR, Larson completed sensitivity training and will have further conditions attached to his reinstatement:

"NASCAR continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion across our sport. Kyle Larson has fulfilled the requirements set by NASCAR, and has taken several voluntary measures, to better educate himself so that he can use his platform to help bridge the divide in our country. Larson's indefinite suspension has been lifted. Under the terms of his reinstatement, he will be cleared to return to all NASCAR racing activities effective January 1, 2021."

The COVID-19 pandemic forced NASCAR to put its 2020 season on hold. As a result, many drivers competed in iRacing events during the interim.

During one session, Larson was speaking with his team and asked if they could hear him. He appeared to think his microphone was non-functioning because he uttered, "Hey, n----r," over the stream. USA Today's Scott Gleeson noted his comment was audible on Twitch and eNASCAR.com's broadcast of the race.

The backlash toward Larson was swift. Multiple sponsors dropped him before Chip Ganassi Racing fired him altogether. Some wondered whether he'd ever compete in another NASCAR Cup Series event.

The 28-year-old told the Associated Press' Jenna Fryer on Aug. 19 he was "ignorant" and "immature" and "didn’t understand the negativity and hurt that comes with that word."

He also addressed the situation on his personal website:

"Since April, I've done a lot of reflecting. I realized how little I really knew about the African-American experience in this country and racism in general. Educating myself is something I should've done a long time ago, because it would've made me a better person – the kind of person who doesn't casually throw around an awful, racist word. The kind who makes an effort to understand the hate and oppression it symbolizes and the depth of pain it has caused Black people throughout history and still to this day. It was past time for me to shut up, listen and learn."

Larson added that he hired a diversity coach and volunteered at a foundation in Minnesota led by retired soccer player Tony Sanneh.

Larson formally applied for reinstatement last week. While he's presently without a team, Fryer reported he's "thought to be getting an open seat at Hendrick Motorsports," though he might have some sponsor-related hurdles to clear.

His reinstatement will allow him to be eligible for the start of the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season. The Daytona 500 is scheduled for Feb. 14.

Tony Stewart believes NASCAR should let Kyle Larson race again.

When speaking to Matt Mayer of CBS Sports, Stewart said, "I think it's time for NASCAR to get off their ass and do the right thing."

Larson told Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press that he has yet to apply for reinstatement in an interview published Thursday.

Stewart suggested Larson has already paid his price for saying the N-word during a virtual race in April, adding "we've had similar instances in the sport that have happened and the penalties didn't last as near as long as this has lasted with Kyle."

Fryer noted Larson lost his sponsors, was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing and was suspended by NASCAR after using the N-word while trying to get a colleague's attention.

"I was just ignorant," Larson said, per Fryer. "And immature. I didn't understand the negativity and hurt that comes with that word. That's not a word that I had ever used. I grew up in Northern California, all I ever did was race and that's all I was focused on. There's probably a lot of real-life experiences I didn't get to have and I was just ignorant to how hurtful that word is."

Larson completed a sensitivity training course as part of his efforts to return to NASCAR.

In April, NASCAR's Kyle Larson called his spotter the N-word to get his attention during an iRacing Series event, believing his mic was muted. It wasn't, and Larson was suspended indefinitely by NASCAR, fired by Chip Ganassi Racing and lost a number of sponsorships.

On Wednesday, he applied for reinstatement, per Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports, with NASCAR reviewing that request. He also spoke with Jenna Fryer of the Associated Press about using the racial slur:

"I was just ignorant. And immature. I didn't understand the negativity and hurt that comes with that word. That's not a word that I had ever used. I grew up in Northern California, all I ever did was race and that's all I was focused on. There's probably a lot of real-life experiences I didn't get to have and I was just ignorant to how hurtful that word is."

https://twitter.com/tiffani/status/1249882266714636291

The worst part of the Kyle Larson situation is as an African American fan of NASCAR, fans have pretty much been the exact opposite of what happened tonight... I’ve been a fan since ‘97 and been to a bunch of races since ‘04 and never once did I feel out of place.

— Phil Spain (@philenespanol) April 13, 2020

In April, NASCAR's only Black driver, Bubba Watson, said in a tweet that "what Larson said was wrong, whether in private or public" but added that Larson personally apologized to him and that he believes Larson deserves a second chance:

pic.twitter.com/VCam1Knyy7

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 16, 2020

Tony Stewart also said Wednesday he believes NASCAR should reinstate Larson and that he's served his punishment:

https://twitter.com/MatthewMayerCBS/status/1296125705760235525

As for what team might consider Larson moving forward, Richard Petty Motorsports owner Andrew Murstein said the team might consider Larson if Wallace—who has been offered a partial ownership stake in the team as an incentive to remain—leaves this offseason. 

"I would have a heart to heart with Kyle Larson to see if he's worthy of a second chance," Murstein told David Smith of Forbes. "But the hope is that we end up with Bubba."

Larson has completed required sensitivity training as a part of the reinstatement program, worked with a number of foundations—including The Tony Senneh Foundation which works to empower and develop youth in Minneapolis—during his suspension and hired a personal diversity coach as he looks to grow from his use of a racial slur. 

"I just felt like there was more that I needed to do—and I wanted to show through actions that I am a better person than I was before," he added. "The sensitivity training was great but I felt like it was just a starting point to what else I needed to do."

Kyle Larson continues to find success on the race track even outside of NASCAR.

The driver won Saturday's World of Outlaws race in Pevley, Missouri, getting $20,000 from the win in the dirt-track event.

"This win means so much personally," Larson said, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). "I can't even describe it."

Larson had spent parts of eight seasons in NASCAR's Cup Series but was suspended indefinitely and fired from Chip Ganassi Racing after using a racial slur during a live-streamed internet broadcast.

He found a home in World of Outlaws, which returned to action earlier in May without fans. Spectators returned Friday in a race that saw Larson finish second by 0.189 seconds. He earned the checkered flag one day later.

Matt Kenseth, who hasn't competed in a NASCAR Cup Series race from behind the wheel since November 2018, will drive the No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet as the replacement for Kyle Larson in Sunday's event at Darlington Raceway.

"How would you like to be one of those suckers lined up around me?" he joked on the Dale Jr. Download podcast (h/t Michelle R. Martinelli of USA Today's For The Win). "You think I'm nervous?"

Chip Ganassi Racing fired Larson, who was also suspended indefinitely by NASCAR, in April after he used a racial slur during a virtual iRacing event.

Kenseth, 48, has an impressive resume that includes the 2003 Cup Series title, the 2000 Rookie of the Year, two Daytona 500 victories and 39 career Cup wins.

However, his last full NASCAR season came back in 2017, and he is also racing in the No. 42 car for the first time without the benefit of working with a crew he is familiar with or a number of practice laps under his belt.

He told Dale Earnhardt Jr. the fact that the No. 42 car notched three top-10 finishes in the season's first four races before competition was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic was a contributing factor in his decision.

"Usually when you make a driver change or a crew chief change or all that, it's almost always performance-related, right?" he said. "So to have that opportunity to get in a car that's currently running well—I know you're already part way into the season and all that—but it's currently running well and really, they just needed a driver. I just thought it was a good opportunity for me to take another stab at it."

As for Larson, NASCAR suspended him in April and issued the following statement:

"NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event. Our Member Conduct Guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base."

Sunday's race will be the first for NASCAR since it postponed eight events because of COVID-19 concerns.

Kyle Larson will compete in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series for Friday's event at Knoxville Raceway, according to Nate Ryan of NBC Sports.

Larson has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR after using a racial slur during a live-streamed internet broadcast. 

He was also fired from Chip Ganassi Racing as a result of his actions.

The World of Outlaws announced in April it would allow Larson to compete for the series after undergoing sensitivity training, per Ryan.

"Given the nature of this infraction and Kyle's already public apology, he will be required to complete a sensitivity training course within 30 days of the date of the infraction," the World of Outlaws wrote in a statement. "Kyle is an important and visible stakeholder in the World of Outlaws community as both driver and team owner."

The sprint car series will have its first race Friday after postponing its season because of the coronavirus. Fans will not be allowed at the first event, but a limited crowd is expected to attend on May 22-23 in Pevely, Missouri.

In addition to Larson, former NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne will also compete in the World of Outlaws competition.

NASCAR has also been on hiatus but will return May 17 with no fans at Darlington Raceway.

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace offered his first public comment Thursday after fellow driver Kyle Larson used the N-word during a iRacing event over the weekend. 

"What Larson said was wrong, whether in private or public," Wallace wrote. "There is no grey area."

pic.twitter.com/VCam1Knyy7

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 16, 2020

He went on to say Larson reached out to him the night of the incident and that they had a "good conversation."

"There is no place for that word in this world," Wallace said. "I am not mad at him, and I believe he, along with most people deserve second chances, and deserve space to improve."

Larson was apparently attempting to determine whether the other drivers could hear him when he said, "Hey n----r" into his headset.

The fallout was swift.

NASCAR announced Monday that Larson is suspended indefinitely, and multiple sponsors dropped the 27-year-old. Chip Ganassi Racing announced Tuesday it was severing its partnership with Larson as well.

He addressed the situation Monday and apologized:

pic.twitter.com/RPsp7ARIea

— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) April 13, 2020

Wallace lost a sponsor earlier in the month when he "rage-quit" an iRacing event after getting wrecked by Clint Bowyer.

Bahaha I'm dying at my mentions right now...

I ruined so many peoples day by quiting..a video game..

Bahaha. A video game. Damn quarantine life is rough😂😂😂

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) April 5, 2020

With the 2020 campaign on hold, NASCAR partnered with iRacing to launch the eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series as a way to simulate traditional race days.

While Wallace showed support for Larson in terms of continuing his racing career, NASCAR Talk's Nate Ryan questioned whether he'll face a long road in order to return to the NASCAR Cup Series.

"The image rehabilitation will need to go well past his genuine contrition Monday," Ryan wrote. "He will need to demonstrate a real understanding of the black community and its history of civil rights struggles."

Larson debuted on the circuit in 2013 and made the full-time jump in 2014. He has six victories in 223 appearances, and his sixth-place finish in 2019 was the best of his career.

Should racing resume this year, Chip Ganassi Racing hasn't officially announced a replacement for Larson.

Marcus Stroman wants a piece of Kyle Larson. 

The New York Mets starting pitcher said the NASCAR driver—who used a racial slur during a Twitch live stream on Sunday—"needs his ass beat" and said he would willingly do it in a UFC event for charity after his playing career is over:

https://twitter.com/STR0/status/1250044580977938433

In the aftermath of using the slur, Larson was suspended by NASCAR, fired by his team and has lost a number of sponsorships:

Statement from Chip Ganassi Racing on firing Kyle Larson: pic.twitter.com/Gz6ioAnwyS

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 14, 2020

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson has been fired after using the n-word during a virtual race. He said it during apparent technical difficulties, to a white colleague.

Sponsors Credit One Bank and McDonald's already dropped him over the "highly offensive language." pic.twitter.com/WlgptJ7gU3

— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 14, 2020

Chevrolet also has terminated its relationship with Larson. "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.” #nascar @NASCAROFOX

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 14, 2020

"I made a mistake, said the word that should never, ever be said," Larson said in a public statement. "There is no excuse for that. I wasn't raised that way. It is just an awful thing to say. I feel very sorry for my family, my friends, my partners, the NASCAR community and especially the African American community."

Chip Ganassi Racing announced Tuesday that it has fired NASCAR driver Kyle Larson after he used a racial slur during an iRacing event on Twitch on Sunday.

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports tweeted CGR's statement on the matter:

Statement from Chip Ganassi Racing on firing Kyle Larson: pic.twitter.com/Gz6ioAnwyS

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 14, 2020

CGR had suspended the 27-year-old on Monday.

Larson used the N-word while trying to get in communication with his spotter during the virtual race.

After CGR's initial decision to suspend Larson, the driver released the following statement, per ESPN:

"I made a mistake and said the word that should never, ever be said. There is no excuse for that. I wasn't raised that way. It's just an awful thing to say. I feel very sorry for my family, my friends, my partners, the NASCAR community and especially the African American community.

"I understand the damage is probably unrepairable and I own up to that. But I just want to let you all know how sorry I am and I hope everybody is staying safe during these crazy times."

NASCAR also released a statement regarding the incident: "NASCAR has made diversity and inclusion a priority and will not tolerate the type of language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday's iRacing event. Our Member Conduct Guidelines are clear in this regard, and we will enforce these guidelines to maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base."

With the 2020 NASCAR season suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, drivers have been competing in iRacing events.

In addition to getting fired by CGR, Larson has been suspended indefinitely from competing by iRacing.

Larson is considered one of the best young drivers in NASCAR, and he is coming off the best season of his career after finishing sixth in the 2019 Cup Series standings. He made his Cup Series debut in 2013, and he is in the midst of his seventh season as a full-time Cup Series driver.

The Elk Grove, California, native has six career Cup Series wins to his credit and has finished ninth or better in the overall standings in each of the past four seasons.

If and when the 2020 NASCAR season resumes, CGR will be tasked with finding a new teammate for veteran driver Kurt Busch.