Getting a fresh start.
Daniel Dye is a free agent after leaving his NASCAR Truck Series ride earlier this month following what ended up being a two week suspension for comments the former Kaulig Racing driver made on a livestream.
The whole situation started while Dye was opening trading cards during a livestream on shopping platform Whatnot when he began discussing a conversation he had with IndyCar driver David Malukas, who drives the #12 car for Team Penske.
While doing his effeminate impression of Malukas, he joked about his “David Malukas gay voice” while continuing to mock the open wheel driver:
NASCAR fans immediately began criticizing Dye and calling for the sport and his team to take action, and it wasn’t long before they both came down on the 22-year old driver.
Dye was indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for a violation of their member conduct guidelines, which state that:
“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.”
He was required to undergo sensitivity training before being reinstated by NASCAR. But Kaulig Racing also announced that they had also suspended their driver:
“Kaulig Racing has indefinitely suspended driver Daniel Dye, effective immediately, after becoming aware today of comments he made on social media.”
Dye was quick to issue an apology both to Malukas and to the sport:
“I want to first apologize to David Malukas. I recently went on a live stream with some friends and made some careless comments. 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.
I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who I would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard. In talking with them, I realize that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend. What I said doesn’t reflect how I feel about them or anyone else.
I didn’t think enough before I spoke, and I in no way meant any harm. I know that intention does not erase impact and I need to do better.
I’m taking this seriously and working on being more aware and respectful moving forward. I’m sorry to everyone I let down. I am committed to learning from this and better understanding that the impact that my decisions can have on others. That includes educating myself, listening to those affected, and taking meaningful steps to ensure my actions reflect respect and inclusivity going forward.
I know I’ve got a platform and a responsibility, and I need to use it better.”
Well after what turned out to be a two week suspension (during which time he only missed one race), NASCAR confirmed that Dye had completed the required sensitivity training and would be reinstated, but the driver immediately announced that he would not be returning to Kaulig Racing and the #10 truck:
“I’m incredibly thankful for my time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and for the chance to compete with Kaulig Racing alongside some of the most passionate fans in motorsports. At this time, I am stepping away from that role.”
Dye also seemed to hint that he would be looking outside of the Truck Series for future opportunities, presumably in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series where he spent last season with Kaulig:
“NASCAR has played a meaningful role in my development, and I don’t take that opportunity lightly.
After a lot of honest self-reflection and guidance from mentors I trust, I’ve decided the smartest move for my career is to realign my focus on my long-term objective of becoming a successful driver at the highest level of stock car racing.
Now that I’m reinstated, I’m optimistic about what the future holds and look forward to working hard at my next opportunity.
This sport and its fans mean everything to me, and I can’t wait to get back to it focused on the real goal more than ever.”
Kaulig Racing also issued a statement, basically just saying that they had accepted Dye’s resignation and that they wish him well.
Since then, Dye competed in the ARCA Menards Series this past weekend, where he finished an impressive second in only his second start in the series this season. And now he’s going to have his chance to prove himself in a higher series when he makes his first ever Cup Series start this week.
Live Fast Motorsports has announced that Dye will be making four Cup Series starts driving the #78 car, starting at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend.
Live Fast is a part-time Cup Series team owned by driver BJ McLeod, who’s made two starts this season. The team obviously doesn’t have the resources that other teams have so they struggle to compete outside of showing some speed at superspeedways, but regardless it’s still an opportunity for Dye to get some experiencing racing in NASCAR’s top series.
After the announcement was made though, some people weren’t happy that Dye was getting the call up to the Cup Series after being suspended for his controversial comments:
Now, whether Dye is actually “failing upwards” as many are claiming depends on whether you think it’s better to be in a competitive Truck Series ride or a Cup Series car that, realistically, has little chance of running well.
That’s not a knock on Live Fast, but just reality. It’s certainly not a Kyle Larson situation, where a driver lost his ride over controversial comments and then came back the next year to drive in one of the best rides in NASCAR.
And regardless, Daniel was punished for his comments, paid the price, and is trying to get a new start. Why do people think he should be canceled indefinitely or blackballed from the sport? It’s just a bizarre thirst for blood that some NASCAR fans have for anybody who doesn’t think like them. But then again, that’s a problem that a lot of people have in society in general.
