NASCAR investigating report of noose found in driver’s garage
By 98.5 The Sports Hub Staff
NASCAR issued a statement Sunday announcing that it launched an immediate investigation into a report that a noose was found in the garage of the team for Bubba Wallace, the company’s only African American driver.
Here’s the statement in full:
“Late [Sunday] afternoon, NASCAR was made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of the 43 team. 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.”
NASCAR has been the subject of controversy in the sports world as it relates to civil unrest erupting across the country in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. It recently banned confederate flags from live events, which prompted at least one person to fly the Here is a view that shows where the Confederate flag is flying with the message “Defund NASCAR” pic.twitter.com/4tQpUnJxfh
Here is a view that shows where the Confederate flag is flying with the message “Defund NASCAR” pic.twitter.com/4tQpUnJxfh
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 21, 2020
On Monday, the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice announced its own pending review of the incident. Here’s a statement from attorney Jay E. Town:
“The U.S. Attorney’s office for the Northern District of Alabama, FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division are reviewing the situation surrounding the noose that was found in Bubba Wallace’s garage to determine whether there are violations of federal law. Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society.”
Wallace, 26, has been competing in NASCAR events since 2010. The Mobile, Alabama native made his national series debut in 2012, after becoming the first black driver to win a rookie of the year award in a NASCAR series in 2011.
