Kyle Larson, a six-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, was fired Tuesday by Chip Ganassi Racing after he used the n-word during a livestreamed virtual race.
The 27-year-old from California was competing in an iRacing event on Sunday night when he appeared to lose communication with his spotter on his headset.
In a subsequent microphone check, Larson said, "You can't hear me?" followed by the n-word.
Larson's fellow competitors on the virtual race appeared shocked by his use of the racial slur.
"Kyle, you are talking to everyone bud," one driver said. Another responded, "Yikes."
On Monday, Chip Ganassi Racing suspended Larson without pay, and NASCAR suspended him indefinitely.