Daniel Dye, a NASCAR competitor in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series, was suspended Tuesday after livestream footage showed him mimicking IndyCar driver David Malukas and using voices that appeared to reference Malukas’ sexuality. This marks the second major publicly known penalty in Dye’s racing career.

Kaulig Racing, Dye’s Truck Series team, also suspended him, and NASCAR has ordered the driver to complete sensitivity training. Critics argue the move represents excessive policing of personal expression, noting that Malukas, 24, publicly shares social media posts with a girlfriend, suggesting no private harm was done.

Dye issued a public apology, calling his remarks “careless” and expressing regret for offending anyone. “I chose my words poorly and I understand why it upset people,” he said. He added that conversations with friends in the LGBT+ community helped him realize he should hold himself to a higher standard.

Supporters of Dye contend that the punishment highlights the growing influence of corporate “woke” policies in professional sports, claiming NASCAR is prioritizing public perception over context or intent. Some industry observers have suggested that the swift, severe response could have a chilling effect on drivers’ freedom of speech, forcing them to self-censor out of fear of professional consequences.