NASCAR driver punished for something his father said in 1980s
A young NASCAR driver is paying for controversial comments his father made a decade before he was even born.
Conor Daly lost one of his sponsors this week ahead of his NASCAR debut — though not because of anything that he did.
It’s because of something his father did.
Lilly Diabetes pulled its sponsorship decals from Conor’s car on Friday, just before Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Road America – over comments his father made more than 30 years ago.
Conor’s father, Derek Daly, admitted to using a racial slur in a live radio interview in the early 1980s on Thursday.
Derek, who worked as a freelance racing analyst for WISH-TV, admitted to using the N-word during an interview at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the early 1980s on Thursday, which led the station to dissolve its relationship with him this week, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Larry Henry, who was the IMS radio announcer at the time, told the Indianapolis Star that he recalled freezing on air after Derek used the N-word, and then quickly threw the broadcast back to the station.
Though Conor was born in 1991, around a full decade after Derek used the slur on air, Lilly Diabetes said that it didn’t want the distraction from their cause.
“Our sponsorship in Saturday’s race is intended to raise awareness of treatment options and resources for people living with diabetes,” Lilly Diabetes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the comments that surfaced this week by Derek Daly distract from this focus, so we have made the decision that Lilly Diabetes will no longer run the No. 6 at Road America this weekend.
“We remain committed to our mission of supporting people with diabetes.”
Conor spoke out on Twitter on Friday night.
“The last 24 hours have been quite an unnecessarily difficult ride for my family,” Conor tweeted. “There is A LOT I want to say, but I’m still here and still racing. I appreciate the support from Roush Fenway Racing and ALL of you. Lilly Diabetes has been a big part of my career and I’m very thankful.”
The last 24hrs have been quite an unnecessarily difficult ride for my family. There is A LOT I want to say… but I’m still here and still racing. I appreciate the support from @roushfenway and ALL of you. @LillyDiabetes has been a big part of my career and Im very thankful. #6
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) August 24, 2018
Conor — who has Type I diabetes himself — partnered with Lilly Diabetes on May 11, when the company announced it would sponsor Conor at the Indy 500 and at the NASCAR Road America race.
He was to work with them on their Drive Down A1C initiative, which helps motivate fans with Type II diabetes to better manage their health.
I was punished for things I’d said 30 years ago. Now, a NASCAR driver has lost a sponsor because of something *his father* said over 30 years ago. That’s taking offence archeology to a new level. https://t.co/3644UrJKPY
— Toby Young (@toadmeister) August 25, 2018
.@LillyDiabetes pulling Conor Daly's sponsorship because of something his dad said before Conor was even born is absolutely pathetic. They should be ashamed. What Derek said is inexcusable but what does Conor have to do with it?
— Tyson Lautenschlager (@TysonLaut23) August 24, 2018
Never mind that Conor Daly is, ya know, a person with diabetes. pic.twitter.com/rtJunRSyOv
— Jake Query (@jakequery) August 25, 2018
I find it a bit oppressive that Lilly Diabetes dropped Conor Daly over a comment his dad Derek said 35 years ago. I bet the person who wrote the statement wasn't born yet. Ridiculous! Racism should never be tolerated but come on forgive and forget! Everyone can learn tolerance
— Robby Noonan (@Raceday2011) August 24, 2018
Why did you punish Conor Daly for something his father allegedly said 35 years ago, 10 years before he was born? I don't understand.
— More Orange (@alpha0201) August 25, 2018
I feel for Conor Daly. He didn’t do a thing, yet he has to pay the price for something that happened before he was even born. 2018 sucks. https://t.co/ALeFNSTLRB
— Seth Sharp (@SethSharp35) August 24, 2018
Wait…what? @LillyDiabetes pulled their sponsorship of @ConorDaly22 because his father admitted to using the "n-word" in a radio interview in the early 80s? And Conor wasn't even born until 1991? This makes no sense…https://t.co/IHnJ9YUBse
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) August 25, 2018