Daniel Dye reinstated in the race but separates from Kaulig

NASCAR has reinstated Daniel Dye, but Dye will no longer drive for Kaulig Racing. Dye, 22, missed a truck race due to an indefinite suspension before undergoing sensitivity training for comments he made during a live broadcast. He mocked INDYCAR driver David Malukas’ voice, made inferences about Malukas’ sexuality (inferences that apparently had no basis in fact), and raised his voice an octave in a way to mock gay men. After NASCAR announced his reinstatement, Dye and Kaulig announced in separate statements Tuesday that he was leaving the team. Kaulig named former Cup driver Corey LaJoie to replace Dye in the No. 10 truck for the remainder of the season. LaJoie drove for the team in its No. 25 “free agent” truck, which will have Ty Dillon in that role in place of LaJoie this weekend at Rockingham Speedway. When he was suspended, Dye released a statement apologizing for his comments. In a social media post Tuesday, Dye indicated he needed a career reset. Dye finished second in the 2022 ARCA standings and 10th in the 2024 Truck standings. He finished 20th in the O’Reilly Series last year driving for Kaulig. “After much honest introspection and advice from mentors I trust, I have decided that the smartest decision for my career was to refocus on my long-term goal of becoming a successful driver at the highest level of stock car racing,” Dye said in a statement.