NASCAR informed Hamlin Tuesday morning and stated that he must begin the process by the end of the week.
Hamlin tweeted a clip from Family Guy that mocks Asian drivers, intercut with footage from the final lap at Talladega when Kyle Larson collided with Kurt Busch — who drives for Hamlin’s 23XI Racing team. Busch’s teammate Bubba Wallace was also collected in the crash.
Larson is the only Asian-American driver at NASCAR’s top level and the reigning series champion. Many criticized the post for being racist in nature.
Hamlin initially defended the post and spoke of his friendly relationship with Larson, telling people to “lighten up.”
Hamlin later deleted the controversial meme and posted the following apology.