“I Didn’t Think Enough Before I Spoke,” The 22-Year-Old Driver Said
On Tuesday, March 17, a controversial video from a livestream featuring NASCAR truck driver Daniel Dye was circulating online.
In this video, recorded from a Whatnot stream, 22-year-old Dye can be seen looking at racing trading cards while discussing IndyCar driver David Malukas.
“‘Like, oh my gosh, yes, we race in Indianapolis, too,'” said Dye, adopting a higher-pitched voice to, presumably, mockingly impersonate Malukas.
Dye then proceeded to make his impression more clear, describing his falsetto as a “David Malukas gay voice.”
Watch the livestream moment, here:
— mario (@LostSchemes) March 17, 2026
This behavior compelled some online to share the video of Dye’s livestream. By the end of the day, both NASCAR and Kaulig Racing, the team Dye drives for, had placed Dye on an indefinite suspension.
— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) March 17, 2026
According to the NASCAR rules, “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.”
As part of his indefinite suspension, Dye is being required to undergo sensitivity training.
Daniel Dye Issues An Apology
Shortly after NASCAR and Kaulig Racing’s decision was announced, Daniel Dye issued a statement which began with an apology to David Malukas.
Writing on the incident that led to his indefinite suspension, Dye stated, “I chose my words poorly, and I understand why it upset people. I’m sorry to anyone who was offended.”
Dye went on to say he has “some close friends in the LGBTQ+ community,” adding, “In talking with them, I realize that a true friend would know better than to act the way I did and for that I need to be a better friend.”
Further, he said, “I didn’t think enough before I spoke, and I in no way meant harm.”
After declaring his hope to learn from this situation, including “educating” himself, he concluded his statement by saying, “I know I’ve got a platform and a responsibility, and I need to use it better.”
Read Daniel Dye’s full statement, here:
Daniel Dye Has Been Suspended From NASCAR Before
For Dye, this indefinite suspension is not his first.
According to the Associated Press, in 2022, when Dye was 18, he was arrested at his high school in Deland, Florida, and was “charged with felony battery for approaching a classmate and punching the student in the groin area.”
Reportedly, the victim was “treated at a hospital for a potential ruptured testicle.”
This led to Dye being suspended indefinitely from racing.
At the time, Dye was racing in the ARCA series, which is under the NASCAR umbrella, and he was reinstated from an indefinite suspension when his charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Here is Daniel Dye’s 2022 mugshot:
This is a developing story.