ESPN -Driver Noah Gragson requested his release from Legacy Motor Club on Thursday after he was suspended indefinitely for liking a George Floyd meme on social media.

Gragson’s request came two days after the team announced he would be replaced for the next two races.

“I have asked LEGACY MOTOR CLUB to release me from my contract so that I can take time to work through the NASCAR reinstatement process,” Gragson said in a statement. “I love racing, and I am looking forward to a second chance to compete for wins at the highest level of NASCAR – and most importantly, make my family, my team and the fans proud of me once again.”

Legacy Motor Club CEO Cal Wells III also released a statement.

“Noah has a ton of talent and has a great personality,” Wells said. “This is a difficult situation, but we are proud that Noah has taken ownership of his actions and are confident he will work through this process with NASCAR and come back stronger.”

Gragson was in his first season as a full-time Cup Series driver. Gragson was suspended indefinitely over the weekend after he appeared to like a meme depicting George Floyd. Legacy Motor Club said his actions did not “represent the values of our team.” NASCAR levied the indefinite suspension on him for violating the organization’s code of conduct.

NASCAR told Fox Sports the meme like resulted in the suspension.

On Tuesday, Legacy Motor Club said road course specialist Mike Rockenfeller will drive the No. 42 at Indianapolis and Watkins Glen, New York. Both events will be road courses. Josh Berry replaced Gragson in the No. 42 at Michigan over the weekend. He crashed and did not finish the race.

Gragson drove sparingly on the circuit in 2021 and 2022 for Beard Motorsports, Kauling Racing and Hendrick Motorsports. He got the start at Daytona in February to start the year and finished in 24th. He had only one top-15 finish this season.

Earlier. . .

Noah Gragson Suspended Indefinitely By NASCAR 

ESPN- Driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely, by NASCAR & Legacy Motor Club due to liking an insensitive meme with a photo of George Floyd’s face.

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

Josh Berry will be in the No. 42 Chevrolet, making his Cup debut in Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway to replace Gragson.

Floyd, who was Black, was murdered by a white police officer in 2020, and his death sparked mass protests around the world and forced a national reckoning on racial injustice.

In the wake of Floyd’s death, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at events and venues after Bubba Wallace — its lone Black driver — said there was “no place” for it in the sport. Earlier that year, Cup series driver Kyle Larson used a racial slur while playing a video game. Chip Ganassi Racing fired Larson and he was suspended by NASCAR, which required him to complete a sensitivity training course for reinstatement.

NASCAR said Gragson violated the member conduct of its rule book.

“His actions do not represent the values of our team,” Legacy Motor Club said in a statement.

The 25-year-old Gragson, who is from Las Vegas, is in his first full season in the Cup series and is No. 33 in points.