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Earlier this week, NASCAR’s only full-time black driver found a door pull rope tied in a noose in his garage at the Talladega Motor Speedway.
The FBI announced on Tuesday that their investigation concludes that Bubba Wallace did not face a hate crime and that the rope had been in the garage sine as early as October. The NASCAR president Steve Phelps said that NASCAR would continue an investigation into why the rope was tied into a noose.
The FBI added, since “nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned” to that garage (it was assigned to him last week), no charges would be pursued.
In its own statement, NASCAR noted, “The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall.” The statement also said: “We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing.”
This incident comes two weeks after the organization banned the display of the Confederate flag at all racing events, which created immediate backslash. Wallace has been vocal in his support of Black Lives Matter and spoke against the display of Confederate flags at NASCAR events.
On Monday, before the race at the Talladega Motor Speedway, Wallace was joined by a huge crowd of his crew and opponents, as they pushed his car around the track in an act of solidarity.
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) June 24, 2020
Written by Clarke Jones
Source: CNN