Post by dalejrfan on Oct 21, 2006 15:01:13 GMT -5
Speed Channel has suspended pit reporter Ray Dunlap one week for making disparaging remarks about Hispanics during a recent appearance on the Speed show "Tradin' Paint."
Dunlap will not appear on Saturday's Speed broadcast of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville, Va., but is expected to return for the following week's broadcast from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"NASCAR is incredibly disappointed in remarks made by Ray Dunlap. His remarks do not reflect NASCAR's values," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.
"We were in contact with Speed executives right away and fully support the steps they've taken."
Speed spokesman Erik Arneson on Thursday confirmed that Dunlap has been suspended for one week for "inappropriate comments," and should return the following week.
"Ray has been on the air every week since coverage of the Craftsman Truck Series started here in 2004," Arneson said. "We've had no other similar episodes and don't expect any in the future."
Dunlap, reached Thursday by phone, apologized for his comments.
"As a guest on 'Tradin' Paint,' you try to be edgy, controversial and entertaining. In a failed attempt at humor, I obviously crossed the line between funny and insensitive. For that, I am deeply sorry," he said.
"I am a huge supporter of NASCAR's diversity initiative and am very proud to work in today's more progressive garage area. I look forward to seeing the fans at the race in Atlanta."
During the broadcast of the show - taped during the Oct. 6-8 race weekend at Talladega, Ala., - Dunlap made the comments when he and Nextel Cup driver Michael Waltrip were discussing the issue of increased minority interest in NASCAR.
The show was taped, and even though Dunlap's comments were questioned by one of the show's producers, his remarks were left unedited in the broadcast, multiple sources confirmed to the Observer.
"Tradin' Paint" is a weekly 30-minute program that features Waltrip, John Roberts and a guest appearance by a member of the motorsports media debating issues in the sport. Dunlap was the media guest for the Talladega weekend broadcast.
Speed Channel is based in Charlotte.
Dunlap will not appear on Saturday's Speed broadcast of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville, Va., but is expected to return for the following week's broadcast from Atlanta Motor Speedway.
"NASCAR is incredibly disappointed in remarks made by Ray Dunlap. His remarks do not reflect NASCAR's values," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.
"We were in contact with Speed executives right away and fully support the steps they've taken."
Speed spokesman Erik Arneson on Thursday confirmed that Dunlap has been suspended for one week for "inappropriate comments," and should return the following week.
"Ray has been on the air every week since coverage of the Craftsman Truck Series started here in 2004," Arneson said. "We've had no other similar episodes and don't expect any in the future."
Dunlap, reached Thursday by phone, apologized for his comments.
"As a guest on 'Tradin' Paint,' you try to be edgy, controversial and entertaining. In a failed attempt at humor, I obviously crossed the line between funny and insensitive. For that, I am deeply sorry," he said.
"I am a huge supporter of NASCAR's diversity initiative and am very proud to work in today's more progressive garage area. I look forward to seeing the fans at the race in Atlanta."
During the broadcast of the show - taped during the Oct. 6-8 race weekend at Talladega, Ala., - Dunlap made the comments when he and Nextel Cup driver Michael Waltrip were discussing the issue of increased minority interest in NASCAR.
The show was taped, and even though Dunlap's comments were questioned by one of the show's producers, his remarks were left unedited in the broadcast, multiple sources confirmed to the Observer.
"Tradin' Paint" is a weekly 30-minute program that features Waltrip, John Roberts and a guest appearance by a member of the motorsports media debating issues in the sport. Dunlap was the media guest for the Talladega weekend broadcast.
Speed Channel is based in Charlotte.