NASCAR suspends Truck Series driver Daniel Dye indefinitely for disparaging remarks about IndyCar's David Malukas
NASCAR announced an indefinite suspension for Craftsman Truck Series driver Daniel Dye on Tuesday after he made disparaging remarks about NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas Jr. during a livestream. The comments mocked Malukas' voice in a derogatory manner, describing it as "gay" and referencing his sexuality.[1][2]
A video of the livestream went viral on social media, prompting NASCAR's action. Dye was ordered to complete sensitivity training as part of the suspension.[1][2]
Dye issued a public apology on X, stating: "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."[1]
He added: "I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who I would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said... 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."[1]
The 22-year-old Dye from Welcome, North Carolina, races full-time for GMS Racing in the No. 43 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He recently qualified the No. 10 truck for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026.[3][1]
This is the second suspension of Dye's career. On April 12, 2021, ARCA indefinitely suspended the then-18-year-old Dye after he was charged with felony battery for allegedly punching a classmate in the groin, resulting in hospital treatment for a potential ruptured testicle. The charge was reduced to misdemeanor assault, and Dye was reinstated on June 3, 2021.[4][5]
Malukas, 23, a Lithuanian-born driver raised in Chicago, Illinois, competes for A.J. Foyt Enterprises in the No. 14 Chevrolet. He last raced at the Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway on August 31, 2025. Malukas did not publicly address the incident.[6][1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "NASCAR driver Daniel Dye was suspended indefinitely Tuesday after making disparaging remarks about IndyCar driver David Malukas", February 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nascar-driver-daniel-dye-suspended-indefinitely-after-making-disparaging-remarks-about-indycar-driver-david-malukas
- Associated Press, "NASCAR suspends Truck driver Daniel Dye indefinitely over comments about IndyCar's Malukas", February 18, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/nascar-daniel-dye-suspension-david-malukas-remarks-2026
- NASCAR.com, "Daniel Dye Driver Page", accessed February 2026, https://www.nascar.com/drivers/daniel-dye/
- ARCA Racing, "ARCA Menards Series indefinitely suspends Daniel Dye", April 13, 2021, https://www.arcaracing.com/news/arca-menards-series/arca-menards-series-driver-daniel-dye-indefinitely-suspended
- Fox Sports, "ARCA indefinitely suspends Daniel Dye after battery charge", April 13, 2021, https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/arca-indefinitely-suspends-daniel-dye-after-battery-charge
- IndyCar.com, "David Malukas Jr. Driver Page", accessed February 2026, https://www.indycar.com/Drivers/David-Malukas-Jr
