GRAGSON DISCIPLINED FOR LIKING FLOYD MEME

Driver Noah Gragson has been suspended indefinitely by NASCAR and 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 in today’s race at Michigan International Speedway to replace Gragson.

Floyd, who was Black, died in 2020 after a white police officer knelt on his neck for 91⁄2 minutes. 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.

NASCAR said Gragson violated the member conduct of its rule book, without providing details.

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

Truex Jr. re-ups with Gibbs

Martin Truex Jr. is returning for another run with Joe Gibbs Racing, signing a deal to compete in NASCAR races again next year.

The Cup Series points leader made the announcement after he qualified fifth for today’s Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

The 43-year-old Truex certainly has not shown signs of slowing down this season, winning three times.

The grid

Christopher Bell won his second pole of the season and the sixth of his career.

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver, in the No. 20 Toyota, turned a lap at 193.382 mph for the fastest qualifying performance since the Daytona 500 in 2020.

Bell is hoping his fast car can help him finish well after placing 18th or lower in four of his last five races.

Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing will start second followed by rookie Ty Gibbs, who drives for his grandfather’s team, Joe Gibbs Racing.

Nemechek takes his 5th

John Hunter Nemechek raced to his fifth NASCAR

Xfinity Series victory this year, pulling away over the last seven laps after making contact with a teammate early in the competition Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

Berry was second, followed by Brandon Jones and Gibbs, who was bumped from behind by Nemechek, his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, on Lap 12.

“I take full accountability for the incident,” Nemechek said.

Nemechek pulled into a first-place tie in the standings with Richard Childress Racing’s Justin Hill, who was 11th at Michigan and lost a 14-point lead.

Kiwi on pole

Scott Mclaughlin won his second straight pole at the Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn., and the first on a street course this season for Team Penske.

The New Zealander, currently fifth in the points race, will be looking for his second win this year today. He came in second here to countryman Scott Dixon “by a nose” a year ago. Mclaughlin said the qualifying session probably was the best of his Indycar career with the Chevrolet.

“That was the money one,” Mclaughlin said. “That was real nice. That was juicy. So I was really happy with that one. Obviously, the same car as we ran last year.”

Noah Gragson