7 NASCAR drivers who were banned from the sport before Noah Gragson

When it comes to NASCAR, there have been both legendary drivers who have made history and those who have faced notoriety. Often, the latter group finds their careers spiraling downwards, with only a few managing to rebuild successfully.

Noah Gragson, the rookie of the Cup Series in 2023, falls into this category. Recently, NASCAR banned Gragson for liking an offensive meme on social media. However, he has been reinstated after completing the required program.

While there are doubts about Gragson’s future in NASCAR’s top series, there are other drivers who have faced even worse situations.

In this list, we will explore the drivers who have been banned from America’s premier stock car racing series.

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7 drivers who were banned by NASCAR

#7 Tyler Walker

This driver, originally from Los Angeles, had a successful career in World of Outlaws events, winning numerous feature events. However, Tyler Walker struggled to secure a seat in NASCAR. He eventually found a place with Bill Davis Racing’s Truck Series program in 2007.

But after only six races, Walker was indefinitely suspended for drug abuse. He was later reinstated but unfortunately relapsed and was suspended again for the same reason. In 2013, he was arrested after a high-speed chase and pleaded guilty to drug and alcohol-related offenses.

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#6 Jeremy Mayfield

Jeremy Mayfield, once considered one of NASCAR’s top prospects and a five-time winner in the highest category, saw his career come to an unfortunate end. Things took a turn for the worse when he left Team Penske after a disagreement with owner Ray Evernham.

In 2009, Mayfield became an owner-driver but faced suspension after failing a drug test, testing positive for methamphetamine. Although a federal judge lifted the suspension, he again tested positive for methamphetamine later that year during a random drug test, resulting in his permanent suspension from the sport.

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#5 Jack Smith

Jack Smith, a former NASCAR driver, made 17 starts in the Truck Series between 2008 and 2011. In 2010, he was banned after being caught attempting to purchase illegal substances using a false name.

Later in November 2011, Smith was indefinitely suspended after being arrested for a drug-related offense.

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#4 A. J. Allmendinger

A. J. Allmendinger, racing for Kaulig Racing, violated NASCAR’s rules early in his career while driving the #22 Dodge for Team Penske. He was suspended midway through the season after failing a drug test.

Although his suspension was lifted later that year, Allmendinger returned to racing with Phoenix Racing, filling in for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., while Regan Smith temporarily replaced him at Team Penske.

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#3 Derek White

Derek White, a Canadian racing driver, competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Truck Series in the previous decade. He was the owner/driver at MBM Motorsports and also made a single start in the Cup Series in 2015, finishing 39th at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

In 2016, White’s career came to an end when he surrendered to Canadian police for his involvement in a tobacco smuggling scheme. As a result, he received an indefinite suspension from NASCAR.

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#2 Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson, a former driver for Chip Ganassi Racing, faced controversy after using a racial slur during an iRacing stream in 2020. NASCAR suspended Larson indefinitely, leading to him losing his seat for the rest of the season.

Larson was reinstated later in 2020 and went on to win the Cup Series Championship in 2021 with Hendrick Motorsports.

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#1 Cody Ware

Cody Ware, driver of the #51 Rick Ware Racing Ford, has been permanently suspended by NASCAR following his arrest on domestic abuse charges earlier this season.

In April 2023, Ware missed the Bristol Dirt Race for personal reasons. Within 24 hours of the weekend, he was arrested on a felony charge of “assault by strangulation — inflict serious injury” and a misdemeanor charge of “assault on a female.”

The investigation is ongoing, and Ware remains under indefinite suspension.