NBC said Friday it is investigating a Facebook comment allegedly made by NBC IndyCar analyst Paul Tracy in which the author told Indianapolis resident Chris Cunningham that he had invited immigrants to a party at Cunningham's house "to listen to you play a mini guitar, then they are going to rape your wife then you."

When sent a screenshot of the comment, which was posted Tuesday, Tracy told IndyStar that he is the victim of fake social media accounts.

NBC sent IndyStar this statement Friday about Tracy: “We are aware of the issue, and take it very seriously. Paul insists that he did not write the offensive posts. We’re continuing to investigate the situation.”

The comment allegedly made by Tracy to Cunningham originated from a post made by a mutual friend of the two, Cunningham said. It involved a discussion about Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man accused of sending pipe bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump.

Tracy had often delved into political debates with inappropriate comments, Cunningham said. But this one "crossed the line," he said.

Cunningham said he and Tracy were not friends on Facebook, but shared a few mutual friends. He told IndyStar of private message conversations he had with Tracy in which Tracy talked about covering IndyCar driver Robert Wickens' August crash.

More:IndyCar driver Robert Wickens: 'I'm far away from walking.'

More:Fuzzy's Vodka leaving IndyCar, Ed Carpenter Racing

Cunningham said the mini guitar mentioned in the controversial post refers to a mandolin that Cunningham plays. Tracy knows that about him, Cunningham says, while a fake Tracy would not.

After seeing the offensive comment, Cunningham said he told Tracy, "I’m screenshotting this and taking it public and he basically said, 'OK.'"

Cunningham's wife tagged NBCSports and IndyCar Series in a post asking, "You OK with this?"

After NBC and IndyCar were alerted about the post allegedly made by Tracy, the Tracy account that made the comment blocked Cunningham on Facebook. Tracy's verified Twitter account then began to feature posts showing what he called fake accounts using his name.

That verified Tracy Twitter account blocked Cunningham's wife on Twitter.

"If it was a fake Facebook post, why would the verified Paul Tracy block my wife?" Cunningham said.

Reached by IndyStar, Tracy provided IndyStar a screenshot of his Facebook avatar, which is different from the one in the controversial post.

But that avatar had been changed after NBC and IndyCar Series were tagged by Cunningham's wife. The photo of Tracy in the original avatar that made the offensive comment is in the photo collection of the Facebook account he confirmed to IndyStar is his.

When asked about that Tracy said, "Yes, social media is lame now. I came across eight fake accounts using my name and likeness."

Tracy is a Canadian-born former IndyCar, CART and Champ Car driver who has worked five seasons as an analyst for NBCSN, a pay television channel owned by NBC Sports Group.

As a driver, he tallied 31 wins, 74 podiums and 25 pole positions in CART and IndyCar. In 2002, he finished second at the Indianapolis 500 behind Helio Castroneves. During the 2003 season, he won the CART/Champ Car World Series season title.

Tracy is known in racing circles for his lightning rod personality. In July, he told reporters in Canada that IndyCar's current drivers are too "vanilla" and "corporate."

"I was OK with being the guy that wore the black hat in this series for a long time," Tracy told "The Canadian Press." "That's kind of what the series is lacking, I think, in terms of trying to promote the series. Everyone wants to be the good guy and no wants to be the bad guy."

In March, NBC acquired the television rights to the Indianapolis 500 after it had been with ABC for 54 years. Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Alex Damron said the alleged Tracy "comments are inappropriate and and we believe NBC is taking the appropriate steps by looking into the matter."

NBC told IndyStar it would alert the media site if Tracy's job status changes.

This story will be updated.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via e-mail: dbenbow@indystar.com.