Warning: A video and tweets in this post contain a racist slur.
A lot of people are furious (and experiencing a wide variety of emotions) after NASCAR driver Kyle Larson used the N-word on Sunday during a virtual iRacing event, which was also being broadcast on Twitch.
People watching the livestream heard him use the racist slur, and clips of the moment quickly spread around the internet.
In the days since, Larson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and must participate in its sensitivity training. He was also fired by Chip Ganassi Racing after major sponsors, including McDonald’s and Credit One Bank, ended their relationships with Larson specifically.
And New York Mets pitcher Marcus Stroman wants to dish out his own punishment to the 27-year-old NASCAR driver, who went from being one of the most valuable upcoming free agents to unemployed in the early fallout.
Stroman tweeted Tuesday about how casually Larson said the N-word while trying to communicate with someone while racing and said, “He needs his ass beat.” So Stroman challenged Larson to a UFC-type event for charity when their careers are over.
Larson — who is of Japanese descent and an alumnus of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program — hasn’t responded to Stroman’s challenge on social media.
As word of him using a racist slur spread, Chip Ganassi Racing first suspended Larson without pay before being forced to fire him after his sponsors bailed. A free agent earlier than usual, Larson’s career and future are more uncertain now, even with the COVID-19 outbreak putting the entire sports world on hold.
Challenging Larson to a UFC-style event wasn’t the only thing Stroman had to say about the NASCAR driver’s behavior. He continued calling out Larson for using the racist slur, as did Adam Jones.
Warning: There is a racial slur in these tweets.
