By Luis Torres, Staff Writer/Photographer
NASCAR and Kaulig Racing announced Tuesday that Craftsman Truck Series driver Daniel Dye has been suspended indefinitely following inappropriate remarks made on NTT IndyCar Series driver David Malukas in a Whatnot livestream.
The 22-year-old Floridian was part of a stream alongside O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver Brent Crews opening up NASCAR trading cards where he mocked Malukas’ voice in a homophobic manner. The topic came to be after was Dye discussing his encounter with the IndyCar driver at St. Petersburg earlier this month. Dye recalled asking Malukas if he raced ovals under the assumption he was an Indy NXT racer instead of being Team Penske’s new driver of the No. 12 Chevrolet this season.
From there, Dye continued mocking the 24-year-old Illinoisan, saying “I love Roger (Penske)” by raising his tone of voice while Crews stepped away from the conversation.
Dye concluded the topic by saying. “as soon as I start doing a David Malukas ‘gay’ voice, I hit a gold (card). Let’s keep it going. We’re just going to keep talking like this unless I miss a gold.”
— mario (@LostSchemes) March 17, 2026
Hours after the stream, NASCAR suspended the driver of the No. 10 Dodge RAM machine for violating Section 4.3.C. of NASCAR’s Member Conduct Guidelines.
“NASCAR Members shall not make or cause to be made a public statement or communication that criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.”
To return in the sport, Dye is required to undergo sensitivity training.
Following the suspension, Dye issued the following statement after his poor word choices sit him out from the sport.
“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.
“I have some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community who I would never want to feel less of themselves because of what I said, and that’s exactly why I should hold myself to a higher standard. In talking with them, I realized that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend. What I said doesn’t reflect how I feel about them or anyone else.
“I didn’t think enough before I spoke, and I in no way meant any harm. 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. I’m sorry to everyone I let down. I am committed to learning from this and better understanding that the impact that my decisions can have on others. That includes educating myself, listening to those affected, and taking meaningful steps to ensure my actions reflect respect and inclusivity going forward.
“I know I’ve got a platform and a responsibility, and I need to use it better.”
This is the second notable incident involving Dye in the public eye. In 2022, he was charged for battery that was later reduced to misdemeanor battery following a police report where he acted sexually inappropriate at a male classmate that resulted in Dye punching the victim in the groin.
As part of a settlement, Dye had to take eight hours of anger management courses, 25 hours of community service and compensate the victim.
Dye is the seventh NASCAR national touring driver to be required to take sensitive training following an indefinite suspension since 2013, becoming the first since Noah Gragson in 2023 when he served a six-race suspension after liking a derogatory social media post.
Already been asked if I had a chart on @NASCAR drivers sent to sensitivity training &I just put this together based on ones I already had records of plus 2 others I've found.
Daniel Dye is the 11th #NASCAR driver required to go to sensitivity training (based on available data). pic.twitter.com/EamDLheboS
— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) March 17, 2026
Dye currently sits 13th in the series standings after three races, 88 points behind leader Chandler Smith.
Kaulig Racing have yet to confirm a replacement driver for Friday’s Truck race at Darlington Raceway (7:30 p.m. ET on FS1). Additionally, neither Malukas or Team Penske have issued a statement regarding the matter.
jnx5ib