Noah Gragson has been suspended, effective immediately by NASCAR and he will not be able to participate in Sunday’s race at Michigan after his controversial social media activity.

“We have made the decision to suspend Noah Gragson effective immediately regarding his actions that do not represent the values of our team. Josh Berry will drive the No. 42 entry for this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Michigan,” The Legacy Motor Club said in a statement.

Soon after, NASCAR released a statement saying, “NASCAR fully supports Legacy Motor Club’s decision to suspend Noah Gragson. Following his actions on social media, NASCAR has determined that Gragson has violated the Member Conduct section of the 2023 NASCAR Rule Book and has placed him under indefinite suspension.”

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Berry succeeded Gragson in the No. 9 Xfinity Series car at JR Motorsports when Gragson moved up to the Cup Series in 2023. Berry will also replace Kevin Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024.

“I am disappointed in myself for my lack of attention and actions on social media,” Gragson wrote in respond to NACAR’s decision. “I understand the severity of this situation. I love and appreciate everyone. I try to create everyone equally no matter who they are. I messed up plain and simple.”

What did Noah Gragson do?

After NASCAR’s decision went viral, many people wondered why Gragson was being penalized. According to a screenshot reported by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Gragson allegedly liked an Instagram meme which mocked the 2020 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

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Gragson is considered to be a rookie in NASCAR’s Cup Series and has had a pretty disappointing season so far. He is currently 33rd in the points standings and he has an average finish of 28.2. He is ahead of only Ty Dillon (28.6). His best finish so far is a 12th at Atlanta in the spring. He has finished in the top 20 only twice in 22 races of the season.

Gragson’s future at Legacy Motor Club was already uncertain due to his poor performance in the league even before his suspension.