A NASCAR driver has found himself in hot water after making derogatory comments about a fellow racer. Daniel Dye, age 22, was caught on a livestream using a voice that mocked IndyCar driver David Markus, triggered by someone else’s remark suggesting Markus was “playing for the other team.”
During the livestream, while selling trading cards, Dye imitated a stereotypically gay tone and made light of the situation. He dramatized his excitement about racing in Indianapolis while referencing Roger Penske, laughing and saying, “I love Roger. Roger, I love you.”
“You get gold as soon as you do David Markus’ gay voice, so keep doing it,” Dye remarked, implying that this portrayal helped him locate a valuable card. He added, “It’s on fire!”
NASCAR responded by stating that Dye’s comments violated their policy against making remarks that disparage others based on various personal attributes including sexual orientation. Following the incident, Dye released a statement apologizing and admitting that his words were careless.
In his apology, he expressed, “First, I would like to apologize to David Markus. I recently made some comments on a livestream that I now see were insensitive. I regret any offense I caused.” He also noted that he has had discussions with friends in the LGBTQ+ community to better understand the impact of his actions.
Dye committed to learning from the experience, stating, “I take this seriously and am working to move forward with more awareness and respect.”
Dye’s racing team, Kaulig Racing, confirmed the indefinite suspension of the driver, marking his second disciplinary action. Previously, he had also been suspended from high school for allegedly punching a classmate, a situation that led to a felony charge, later downgraded to a misdemeanor and eventually dropped.
