NASCAR's Kyle Larson wants reinstatement after racial slur

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson has not raced in six months. Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR's Kyle Larson wants reinstatement after using racial slur

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/16/20

NASCAR driver Kyle Larson hasn't raced in six months after using a racial slur, but now he's hoping the organization will let him back -- claiming he's not racist.

"I know deep down I'm not a racist," Larson told James Brown on "CBS This Morning." "I said a racist word and I can fully understand why people would label me a racist."

For the first time, we're hearing from @NASCAR driver Kyle Larson after he was fired in April for using a racial slur during a virtual racing event.

In his first TV interview, he spoke to @JBsportscaster about race in America and why he's hoping for a second chance. pic.twitter.com/zOXoVTU8J8
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 16, 2020

Larson was fired by his racing team in April and dropped by his sponsors for using the n-word during a virtual race. He didn't realize his microphone was on, streaming to thousands of people on Twitch. Regardless, there's no excuse for the 28-year-old's use of a racial slur.

Larson claims he directed the slur at a friend, who is white, and didn't mean it in a derogatory way. He has since realized that he should never use the slur, explaining he didn't know the impact the word has on Black people.

The former Chip Ganassi Racing driver has gone through sensitivity and diversity training and has met with Black leaders including Jackie Joyner-Kersee, following in NASCAR's reinstatement policies. Larson also has a track record of working with the Black community, including a relationship with the Urban Youth Racing School in Philadelphia.

There's no word on if NASCAR will reinstate him.

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