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Daniel Dye looks on during practice for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14, 2026.
Daniel Dye is getting his second chance.
The 22-year-old is set to return to NASCAR competition this weekend at Kansas Speedway, marking his first start since being reinstated following a suspension tied to comments he made during a livestream in which he mocked IndyCar driver David Malukas.
According to the ARCA entry list released Tuesday, Dye will compete in the ARCA Menards Series race at Kansas, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Sigma Performance Services Racing.
ARCA entry list for Kansas:
NASCAR suspended Dye after the livestream surfaced, drawing backlash across the motorsports community. He was officially reinstated on March 31.
A Reset After a Sudden Exit
The fallout extended beyond the suspension itself.
Dye stepped away from his ride with Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series on the same day his suspension was lifted, ending what had already been a brief stint with the team.
“I’m incredibly thankful for my time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and for the chance to compete with Kaulig Racing alongside some of the most passionate fans in motorsports,” Dye said. “At this time, I am stepping away from that role. NASCAR has played a meaningful role in my development, and I don’t take that opportunity lightly.”
He framed the decision as part of a broader reset.
“After a lot of honest self-reflection and guidance from mentors I trust, I’ve decided the smartest move for my career is to realign my focus on my long-term objective of becoming a successful driver at the highest level of stock car racing. Now that I’m reinstated, I’m optimistic about what the future holds and look forward to working hard at my next opportunity. This sport and its fans mean everything to me, and I can’t wait to get back to it focused on the real goal more than ever.”
Back — But Starting Over
While Dye is back in the NASCAR ecosystem, his return does not come at the national series level.
His time in the Truck Series ended after just three starts, with a best finish of 13th at Atlanta. Corey LaJoie has since taken over driving duties in the No. 10 Kaulig Racing truck.
Instead, Dye returns to ARCA — a series where he has significantly more experience and past success.
He has made a total of 27 career starts in the ARCA Menards Series, earning one win at Berlin Raceway in 2021 and finishing second in the championship standings in 2022. The move provides a more controlled environment as he works to rebuild momentum following the suspension.
Kansas Becomes a Key Moment
Kansas Speedway now represents more than just another race weekend.
It’s the first real test of Dye’s return — both competitively and publicly — as he looks to move forward after a difficult stretch early in the season.
With attention surrounding his comeback, how he performs — and how he carries himself — will be closely watched across the garage.
The NASCAR circuit now heads to Kansas Speedway this weekend, where Dye’s return will be one of the most notable storylines on track with all eyes on him.
Maggie MacKenzie Maggie MacKenzie covers NASCAR for Heavy.com. She previously worked for NASCAR.com, where she reported, wrote, and edited race-weekend coverage and traveled to key events throughout the season. She has more than ten years of experience in sports media and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. More about Maggie MacKenzie
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