NASCAR’s Larson suspended for racial slur in virtual race

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyle Larson’s racial slur cost him his two primary NASCAR supporters. Credit One Bank denounced Larson’s “highly offensive language” at first and dumped the driver altogether three hours later. Chevrolet suspended its personal services relationship with Larson “as we do not tolerate this behavior.” One secondary sponsor, Plan B Sales & Marketing, backed Larson, saying “we know he is an awesome young man that made a mistake and we are going to stand behind him 100% and help any way we can.” Larson, whose grandparents spent time in an interment camp in California during World War II, climbed from short-track racing into NASCAR through its “Drive for Diversity” program. “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,” NASCAR said in a statement. The stock-car body added that its conduct guidelines are clear and it will enforce them to “maintain an inclusive environment for our entire industry and fan base.” NASCAR in 2013 suspended Xfinity Series driver Jeremy Clements for using the same word Larson used while Clements was speaking to a reporter.