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NASCAR indefinitely suspends Derek White for arrest

WinStar World Casino 350 - Qualifying

FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 03: Derek White, driver of the #76 OCR Gaz Bar Ford, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series WinStar World Casino 350 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 3, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

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NASCAR announced Monday that it has indefinitely suspended Xfinity Series driver/owner Derek White, who was among those arrested last week in a tobacco- and drug-smuggling operation in Canada.

NASCAR is suspending White for violating Section.2.11.a of the Xfinity Series Rule Book that states: “Any NASCAR member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony) shall notify NASCAR ... prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier.’'

White turned himself into authorities last Wednesday and faces seven charges in connection to the biggest tobacco-smuggling bust in North American history. About 60 individuals were arrested.

The seven charges White faces are:


  • Three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud against the government.

  • Three counts of fraud toward the government.

  • One count of profiteering as a criminal organization.

White, 45 and from Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada, became the first Native American driver in the Sprint Cup Series when he raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last July. He finished 39th in the 43-car field.

He has made 22 career Xfinity starts from 2012 to this year. He finished last in the 40-car field March 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and failed to qualify for the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. White, who owned his team, drove in 13 Xfinity races last year with a best finish of 22nd at Daytona.

White also ran in six Camping World Truck Series races between 2009-14.

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