Kaulig Racing’s Daniel Dye has released a statement apologising for his ‘careless comments’ against IndyCar star David Malukas. The gesture came after NASCAR indefinitely suspended him over language deemed inappropriate.

Dye has landed in hot water after his recent livestream featured a mockery of Malukas. The 22-year-old was opening trading cards and recalled an interaction with Malukas before the St.Petersburg Truck Series race.

Notably, it was the first time NASCAR raced on an IndyCar street track. Driving the No.10 RAM-powered truck, Dye finished 17th on the final order. He walked away with 19 points from the event and dropped a spot in the points standings.

Following Dye’s livestream comments, Kaulig Racing levied an indefinite suspension as well. He has now issued a public apology addressing the matter.

“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,” his statement read.

“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,” he added.

Daniel Dye will have to undergo sensitivity training before he can return to NASCAR competition.

The NASCAR rule that led to Daniel Dye’s suspension

Daniel Dye used to race in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series before returning to trucks. He has made 49 Truck starts so far, a majority of which stemmed from his maiden truck season in 2023.

Dye jumped ship with Kaulig Racing as the team suspended its NOAPS program to focus on their five-car truck outfit. The DeLand native’s future remains in jeopardy after the recent fallout.

NASCAR invoked Section 4.3.C from its rulebook to suspend Daniel Dye. The rule states(via USA Today),

“NASCAR Members shall not make … 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.”

Kaulig Racing currently employs Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen, Mini Tyrell, and Justin Haley. The team also offers a Free Agent Program that sees a rotating roster of all-star drivers.

Tony Stewart kickstarted the program at Daytona. Ty Dillon followed suit at Circuit of the Americas, while Colin Braun competed at St.Petersburg. Braun secured the highest finish so far, placing ninth at COTA.

Queen grabbed the best finish among the regular roster with a seventh at Daytona, while Justin Haley ranks the highest with 67 points in tenth. However, Queen is just a single point shy of Haley.