Ex NASCAR Driver, Kyle Larson, Wants a Second Chance After Dropping N-Word Earlier in The Year

Kyle Larson has been through a lot after dropping the N-Word on a public channel before an e-sports race earlier in the year. Larson has been quiet since being kicked off the Chip Ganassi racing team and indefinitely suspended by NASCAR for his comments, but now he’s ready to share his thoughts.

Larson posted an essay titled “Kyle Larson: My Lessons Learned,”. I won’t share the entire essay here, but I will say that it is worth the read. In the essay, Larson talks about his remorse, and the article seems to be genuine.

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In the long post, Larson talks about letting his parents down. He is half Japanese, and talks about how disappointed his parents were in him.

“My mom and dad’s disappointment really affected me. Trust me when I say that they did not raise my sister and I this way,” Larson says in his post. “But even though I let them down in a particularly hurtful manner, they still supported me when I most needed them. I was, and will always be, grateful for how they’ve helped me navigate the last five months of my life.”

Kyle Larson also talks about letting his fans down, especially the African-American ones, and his journey to rectify himself.

“Since April, I’ve done a lot of reflecting. I realized how little I really knew about the African-American experience in this country and racism in general. Educating myself is something I should’ve done a long time ago, because it would’ve made me a better person – the kind of person who doesn’t casually throw around an awful, racist word. The kind who makes an effort to understand the hate and oppression it symbolizes and the depth of pain it has caused Black people throughout history and still to this day. It was past time for me to shut up, listen and learn,” Larson states.

He was forced to undergo racism sensitivity course, and hired a diversity coach on his own. He also spoke with African-American athletes including former pro soccer standout Tony Sanneh and Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee and became involved with their organizations. Larson has also reached out to Bubba Wallace, the lone African-American NASCAR driver.

Top driver Denny Hamlin, who teamed up with Michael Jordan to create a team that Wallace will race for next season, shared his thoughts on the Larson situation.

Education is key. Looking forward to working with Doug and his team over the next 2 weeks. You deserve a 2nd chance and i would welcome you back to Nascar with open arms. We are proud of you and the growth you have shown. https://t.co/dgzrgUheQQ

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) October 5, 2020

While Larson seems to have learned a lot throughout this process, he knows he still has a long way to go.

“People have taught me a lot over the last five months. The next time I’m in a classroom, I hope I can repay their kindness by sharing my story so others can learn from my mistakes. Making it a story I’m proud to tell is completely up to me.”

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