If you have listened to our show for any length of time, you have come to know the three of us, John Myers, dedicated producer of the show and overseer of the site you’re currently on. Matt Nicholson, the show’s “resident driver”, who brings the behind the wheel perspective. Then there is me. For those new to the show, and/or me, I have been in the radio business in some way, shape, or form, since 1985, when I was a senior at the now defunct W.A. Berry High School in Hoover, Alabama.
That year I was an intern for what is now WJOX, or the sports station, JOX 94.5…back in 1985/1986 it was a hit-making radio station playing the likes of Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Ratt, Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Journey and much more. I was honored to be an intern there, as it stoked what had been a candle of an idea to get into broadcasting, into a raging blaze that has not been abated at all despite some really bad owners, general managers and/or program directors that I have met and worked for over that time.
But one thing keeps coming back to me when it comes to the business, and this is where the Kyle Larson lesson comes in. My first paying gig, an intern was not a paying position for me back then, I was doing it to learn and get school credit, was at a station in the small town of Arab, Alabama. One night, while doing the 7pm to Midnight shift, I thought I was all alone in the building.
I had not heard the afternoon driver jock re-enter the building, make his way quietly, to me, down the hall, and poke his head into the studio, with door open, and catch me off guard. I was so caught off guard that I yelled back, “What the (edited) do you want?!?!” He laughed and went about his business.
It was then that I looked at the control board and realized that I had not turned the microphone off from my last time talking on-air. While likely muffled by the song being played on the air at the time I yelled, it no doubt went over the airways, and some eagle-eared listeners no doubt heard what I had yelled. Luckily one of them was not the PD/GM/Owner, and I was not fired.
However, that taught me two things, be aware of what is going on around you at all times while in the station, and secondly, and more importantly, act as though the microphone is always on, even if you know you just cut it off. That lesson is especially prudent in this day and age when every Tom, Dick and Harriett with a cell phone is seeking to make the next “viral video”…always suspect someone is watching and has a camera and/or microphone on you.
Kyle Larson had not learned that lesson as of Sunday night, but I can guarantee you he has now after using “the n-word”, over iRacing communications. The ramifications came swiftly, as Chip Ganassi Racing, then NASCAR, then iRacing all suspended him. McDonald’s, Credit One Back and more sponsors terminated their deals with him, Chevrolet suspended, and then ended their personal services contract with him, leading Chip Ganassi Racing on Tuesday to fire Larson, who was going to be a free agent after this year anyway, to fire him effective immediately.
Larson will recover, slowly, and with a lot of work rehabbing his image, and I believe he will return to Cup Series racing, likely in 2021. I don’t know with what team, but, pending what he does through the remainder of 2020, he may, once he goes through NASCAR-mandated sensitivity training, and is reinstated, get lucky and sign with a Hendrick Motorsports, or with his Chevy deal terminated, potentially a Stewart-Haas Racing, as Tony Stewart has said he really likes Larson’s driving style. Or he may go the route of Kurt Busch, who dropped to a then almost unheard of Furniture Row Racing when he not only burned, but nuked the bridge that was his relationship with Roush Fenway Racing. It humbled “The Outlaw”, who rehabbed his image, helping him join SHR, and interestingly enough, is now with Chip Ganassi Racing.
So, Kyle Larson, this is your teachable moment. Take the lessons from Kurt Busch and myself, rehab your image, get yourself back into NASCAR’s good graces, and get back to driving, what you do best…but also remember, always suspect that a microphone and/or a camera is on you at all times.
A lesson not just for me, but Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch…and you, the reader. Learn it well.