Controversial NASCAR Driver Handed Cup Series Ride with Live Fast Motorsports

TL;DR

Daniel Dye, a controversial NASCAR driver, will race for Live Fast Motorsports in four Cup Series events, starting with the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega. This follows his recent departure from Kaulig Racing after making insensitive comments.

Key points

Daniel Dye joins Live Fast Motorsports.
He will drive the No. 78 car.
Dye will race in four Cup Series events.
First race is the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega.
Dye was previously released from Kaulig Racing.

Mentioned in this story

Talladega Superspeedway

Live Fast MotorsportsCup SeriesJack Link’s 500

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Just three weeks after NASCAR Truck Series team Kaulig Racing parted ways with driver Daniel Dye after he made insensitive comments on a livestream in March, the recently reinstated driver will now find himself running multiple Cup Series races later this season.

Live Fast Motorsports announced on Monday that Daniel Dye will be driving the No. 78 car in four Cup Series races, including this coming weekend at Talladega Superspeedway in the the Jack Link’s 500 in Alabama.

Even putting Dye’s suspension and insensitive comments to the side, his results in the Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series make this an odd decision from Live Fast Motorsports. The 22-year-old driver has no experience in the Cup Series, and his results in the lower series don’t exactly warrant a multi-race seat at the highest level.

He’s raced 48 times in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, including at The LiUNA at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14. He finished 15th in that and placed inside the top-20 in just two of his three OARS races this year. In his last 21 races in that series, he had an average finishing position of 21.9.

In the Truck Series, he failed to record a top-12 finish in the three races before his suspension. Going back further, he had a modest average finishing position of 16.44 with just a single top-five finish (Talladega) in his last 13 Truck races.

As for off the track, in addition to the insensitive comments he made, Dye was arrested in April 2022 while a student at Father Lopez Catholic High School and charged with felony battery, only to have it later reduced to a misdemeanor.

Q&A

Why was Daniel Dye released from Kaulig Racing?

Daniel Dye was released from Kaulig Racing due to insensitive comments he made during a livestream.

What races will Daniel Dye compete in for Live Fast Motorsports?

Daniel Dye will compete in four Cup Series races, including the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

What is the significance of Daniel Dye's reinstatement in NASCAR?

Daniel Dye's reinstatement is significant as it highlights NASCAR's approach to driver conduct and the potential for controversy in the sport.