It’s been a wild last few days for Bubba Wallace after it was reported that a noose was found in his garage. After a mix of support for Wallace and outrage over the incident, the FBI began its investigation into the nature of this act. NASCAR initially released this statement following the investigation:
“The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway and determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime. 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. This was obviously well before the 43 team’s arrival and garage assignment. 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.”
A teleconference between NASCAR president Steven Phelps and Exec Eric Nyquist shortly followed. Nyquist was clear that they will leave no leave no stone un-turned, indicating that they would continue investigating following the FBI’s conclusions.
Phelps addressed the situation directly.
“For us at NASCAR, this is the best result we could hope for. It was disturbing to hear that it was thought that one of our own had committed this heinous act. It is fantastic to hear from the FBI definitively that there was not a hate crime.
I do want to make sure everyone understands that if given the evidence that we had was delivered to us on Saturday night or late Saturday afternoon, we would do the same thing. We would have done the same investigation. It was important for us to do. There is no place in our sport for this type of racism or hatred. It’s not part of who we are as a sport.
I want to make sure that everyone understands that our portion of this with the FBI was something that was — we were very cooperative, as you would expect. We provided them with roster information, photographic and video evidence that aided them in their conclusions.”
While it is surely a relief to the NASCAR community, Bubba Wallace included, that this is not a hate crime, it still speaks to a historic culture of inequity and inequality in NASCAR that the organization has been working to overcome. The banding together of drivers in support of Wallace remains a representation of a commitment on the driver and owner side to making systemic changes.
Who cares bubba is a back of the pack racer. He will never win a race.
That’s what they said about Joey, both Kyles, Stenhouse Jr. After a year of Danica who never won a cup race and surely knows how to go fast….Danica never learned how to RACE a large car. She did cop a few poles, though…Even Daytona 500 pole…Now that’s a feather in her hat.
You really missed the point here, didn’t you?
That’s what they said about Joey, both Kyles, Stenhouse Jr. After a year of Danica who never won a cup race and surely knows how to go fast….Danica never learned how to RACE a large car. She did cop a few poles, though…Even Daytona 500 pole…Now that’s a feather in her hat…..I pull for Bubba and want him to do well. MORE: Kyle Larsen swept the last 17 Sprint/midget races in a row. The 16th & 17th last weekend.