NASCAR has indefinitely suspended Truck Series driver Daniel Dye following a livestream that drew backlash for comments widely criticized as homophobic. The sanctioning body announced the penalty on Tuesday, March 17, after a clip circulated online showing Dye mocking IndyCar driver David Malukas.
According to ESPN, the video, which spread quickly across social media, featured Dye imitating Malukas’ voice while making remarks that implied the driver’s sexuality. NASCAR responded by removing Dye from competition and requiring him to complete sensitivity training as part of the disciplinary process.
Kaulig Racing, his current team, confirmed it would also sideline him during the review.
Dye, 22, is in his third full season in the Truck Series and recently joined Kaulig Racing as part of Ram’s return to NASCAR competition. Through the opening stretch of the season, his best finish was 13th at Atlanta.
In a statement posted to social media, Dye acknowledged the fallout and apologized directly. “I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people,” he wrote. “I’m sorry to anyone who was offended. That’s not how I want to represent myself.”
He added that conversations with friends in the LGBTQ+ community helped him recognize that “a true friend would know better than to act the way I did.”
Malukas, 24, recently made his debut with Team Penske and has maintained an active social media presence, often featuring posts with his girlfriend. The two drivers were competing during the same race weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, where NASCAR’s Truck Series shared the stage with IndyCar’s season opener.
This is not the first time Dye has faced league discipline. As a teenager competing in the ARCA series, he was suspended after being charged in connection with an incident at a Florida high school involving a physical altercation. The charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor.
