NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements during qualifying for the Feed the Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway (Michael Hickey-USA TODAY Sports)
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) - NASCAR driver Jeremy Clements is back at the track after a two-week suspension for using a racial slur and is hopeful the lapse in judgment hasn't caused irreparable harm to his career.
Clements made the remark to a blogger for MTV News during an interview at Daytona. NASCAR suspended him indefinitely, but he was reinstated this week after seeing a sports diversity expert.
Clements paid for the $2,500 course out of his own pocket, and said Friday at Bristol Motor Speedway he hopes he'll get a second chance.
He opened his remarks by reading a lengthy apology handwritten on a piece of white loose-leaf paper.
The 28-year-old Nationwide Series driver blamed his actions on making a stupid remark in describing drivers who race too aggressive.