NASCAR has confirmed that a noose was found in Bubba Wallace’s garage at Talladega. Wallace is the sport's only full-time black driver.
"Late this afternoon, NASCAR was made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of the 43 team,” the company said in a statement. “We are angry and outraged and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act. We have launched an immediate investigation and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport. As we have stated unequivocally, there is no place for racism in NASCAR and this act only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.”
During the 2020 Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville, Wallace rocked a unique paint scheme to honor Black Lives Matter.
NASCAR recently banned the use of the Confederate flag at race events. Fans protested the decision in Talladega for Sunday's race.
Wallace released a statement on Twitter: “Today’s despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredibly saddened and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism,” he wrote. “Over the last several weeks I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and team members in the garage. Together our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone. Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate. As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you.’ This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.”
[Via]