CONCORD, N.C. — Credit One Bank and McDonald’s have ended their respective sponsorship agreements with driver Kyle Larson following Larson’s use of a racial slur during an iRacing stream Sunday evening.
Credit One Bank, which has been a sponsor of Larson since 2017, revealed the news in a statement on Twitter Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, the company denounced Larson’s use of a racial slur but did not end its sponsorship program.
“As stated earlier, Credit One Bank denounces the highly offensive language used by Kyle Larson during Sunday’s iRacing event,” the company said in a statement posted to Twitter. “In addition to the quick actions taken by NASCAR and Chip Ganassi Racing, Credit One Bank is terminating its sponsorship of Kyle Larson.”
McDonald’s announced its sponsorship termination shortly after Credit One Bank.
“We were extremely disappointed and appalled to hear about this incident,” McDonald’s USA officials said in a statement. “The comments made by Kyle Larson are insensitive, offensive and not reflective of our inclusive values and will not be tolerated. McDonald’s is taking immediate action to terminate the relationship with Larson.”
The statements from each company specifically stated they were terminating their relationships with Larson, potentially opening the door for both to stay with Chip Ganassi Racing should the team select a different driver.
The action taken by Credit One Bank and McDonald’s were the latest dominos to fall after Larson’s improper comments on Sunday night.
NASCAR suspended Larson indefinitely and ordered him to take part in sensitivity classes and Chip Ganassi Racing suspended the driver without pay. Chevrolet has also suspended its relationship with Larson, which could also affect Larson’s World of Outlaws sprint car team, which carries sponsorship from Chevrolet Accessories.
iRacing has also suspended Larson from its service indefinitely.
Larson has since apologized for his actions, acknowledging that he, “made a mistake.”