INDIANAPOLIS — One week ago, Kyle Larson was the hottest free agent in NASCAR. The 27 year old had a bright future ahead of him and maybe even a few Cup Series championships included in that too. He was so good, yet so talented, he easily could have walked into any NASCAR shop in North Carolina with a blank check and got it endorsed by any owner for whatever amount that would have made Larson happy, in exchange for his services.

Now, over the course of the first three days of the week, Larson went from being a welcomed edition to any team to not likely being allowed on any of their premises. That’s how much can change in an instant by using one single word.

By what he said on Sunday night, most of his sponsors left and rightfully so too. So did his manufacturer (Chevrolet). So did NASCAR. So did his team (Chip Ganassi Racing).

That word should never get used in any setting at any time and any place. Larson is being made now as an example of that which he wholeheartedly deserves. It’s a word that should be banished from every language around the world. It serves no use other than to be discriminatory.

He should know that. He’s smarter than that.

Do I think Larson meant it to be that way though? I don’t know. I’m not him and can’t speak for him. Only he can answer that question. But, what I do know is, that word cost Larson his future in most high forms of motorsports moving forward.

Think Larson is going to get a top NASCAR ride again? Doubtful. Those rides are reserved for good drivers who can wow corporate boardrooms, no matter how much talent on the race track that he certainly has. Larson, who’s now received the label as “racist” isn’t going to be welcomed in any Fortune 500 company boardrooms. How can he? In this day and age, that video of him saying that racial slur is going to keep getting brought up again and again. The competitive business nature in this world isn’t going to allow Larson to be the face of their company, because if he is, their rivals are going to smear their names as a result by bringing that video from Easter night back up to throw it in their faces.

So, do you really think Larson will drive for the Gibbs, Hendrick’s, Penske’s, Ganassi’s, Childress’ of the world again — or anyone else of that stature on any level? They can’t take that risk.

Larson, is a hell of a driver, one of the best this world could have ever seen by time he decided to hang his helmet on his own terms up for good. He was like an AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Tony Stewart etc. Whenever he hopped into a race car, he could win. It didn’t matter if the race was held on asphalt, dirt, clay or grass, it didn’t matter the surface, the layout, the size, the state, the country, the car or any other detail for a race on any given race track, Larson would be in the hunt to win. Now, he’s going to have a hard time showcasing that.

He earned that label he’s been given. That word slipped off his tongue a little too easy. Now, he has to face the consequences of saying it.

Does that mean to race for lower funded teams that are looking for drivers, dreaming of getting a driver of Larson’s caliber? My question is, how can he? Those teams need funding and how can Larson get it right now?

What about IndyCar? Those teams need money too and he doesn’t have it.

His best path is back to dirt, where it all started for him. The World of Outlaws said that they’d welcome him so long as he completed sensitivity classes within the next month. Larson, would be a fool not to take those immediately. He has to now build his image back up and do everything humanly possible to do so even if it means he doesn’t race for a top team again.

He does have a sprint car team and can go back to driving for himself and only himself to help turn his image back around. Unfortunately, this is going to take years to do so and by time he maybe has worked hard about shedding that “racist” title, he’s going to be in his 30’s and the new crop of young drivers with similar backgrounds to Larson will be ready to move up and they don’t have the baggage that he has.

They didn’t say the “n word” and have money AND talent. Larson, has talent but said the “n word” and is in his 30’s. They’re likely in their teens or early 20’s. If you’re a top team owner, who would you take?

So, for Larson now, it’s time to prove he’s not a racist first and foremost and if he wants to race while doing so, dirt racing is his only route.