NASCAR has suspended driver Daniel Dye indefinitely for a homophobic comment made toward IndyCar driver David Malukas, NASCAR officials announced Tuesday evening.
Dye, who drives the No. 10 Kaulig Racing Ram in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, was opening trading cards on his stream when he began mocking Malukas for interaction they had during the joint weekend IndyCar and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series had in St. Petersburg, Florida, earlier this month. Dye imitated a high-pitched voice, meant to represent Malukas, before saying, “As soon as I start doing a David Malukas gay voice, I get a gold, so let’s keep it going.”
Dye was penalized under Section 4.3.C in the NASCAR Rule Book, which states in part, “NASCAR Members shall not make … a public statement or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.” Dye has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and Kaulig Racing.
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The 22-year-old Dye apologized to Malukas, a 24-year-old who frequently posts pictures on social media with his girlfriend, in an online statement, saying, “I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people. I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s not how I want to represent myself.”
IndyStar has reached out Team Penske for comment.
Dye is in his third season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He finished 10th in the championship with McAnally–Hilgemann Racing last year and is currently 13th in the standings. Malukas is in his fifth season in IndyCar and his first with Team Penske, where he sits sixth in the standings.
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Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to theYouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Daniel Dye suspended by NASCAR for ‘gay voice’ comment about IndyCar’s David Malukas