NASCAR Investigating After Noose Is Found In Bubba Wallace's Garage Stall

UPDATE, 6:09 pm PT: NASCAR rallied around Bubba during their race at Talladega.

The checkered flag waved a little over an hour ago at Talladega Superspeedway, and Bubba Wallace finished 14th — an extremely good showing for the young driver, who was even leading the race at various points during the afternoon.

But it’s what happened around him — and in support of him — that is really making people talk. As you can see (below), drivers from all of NASCAR’s active teams and their crew members worked together to push Bubba’s car to the starting line at the very beginning of the race. It was a supremely impressive gesture and an emotional show of support even attended by 82-year-old team owner and racing legend Richard Petty:

No words pic.twitter.com/ZorYccEjFo

— Steve O'Donnell (@odsteve) June 22, 2020

Wow!!! NASCAR really is changing before our very eyes, isn’t it? Here’s hoping!!!

By the end of the race, Bubba was all smiles over the positive steps the sport has started to take. As you can see in this post-race interview from the track down there in Alabama, the driver showed quite a bit of emotion discussing the events of the last 24 hours:

"The sport is changing … Whoever it was, you're not gonna take away my smile."- @BubbaWallace

What a moment. #IStandWithBubba pic.twitter.com/Z3YajMuBBJ

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 23, 2020

Inspiring!!!

This picture (below) is the photo of the day… it says it all, doesn’t it?

Together pic.twitter.com/D4zW3jA5y5

— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) June 22, 2020

Love it!

BTW… the Federal Bureau of Investigation AND the Department of Justice are now actively investigating the noose allegedly found in Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega.

We’ll see what comes of it as this story progresses…

__________

NASCAR is investigating a horrific incident involving a noose found in Bubba Wallace‘s garage stall at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama on Sunday. Wallace, who drives the No. 43 Chevrolet, is the only Black driver in the top circuit.

The 26-year-old was also behind the push for NASCAR to ban Confederate flags at its track and facilities, which they finally did on June 10. Nearly two weeks later and someone heinously left a noose for him and his team to find.

Related: Beyoncé Drops Surprise Single Black Parade On Juneteenth! Listen!

The racing organization released a statement yesterday, revealing they would find any persons responsible:

“Late this 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.”

According to reporting by ESPN‘s Marty Smith, Wallace never saw the noose, but one of his team members did, immediately bringing it to the attention of NASCAR. They are said to be working with law enforcement on the matter. Additionally, the org confirmed the driver’s garage stall is restricted to only essential personnel, including race teams, NASCAR officials, security, and health and safety personnel, per CNN.

Hopefully any security cameras caught the racist incident!

Bubba (real name Darrell Wallace Jr.) took to his social media pages last night, writing how the “despicable” incident won’t stop him from continuing to stand up against racism:

“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. 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.”

The Alabama native continued:

“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.”

The noose is a chilling reminder of America’s history of lynching Black people, as well as children, for nearly a century from 1880 to 1968. But possibly our present. While police have ruled the six deaths of Black men hanging from trees over the past month as suicides, family members, protestors, and more are finding it hard to believe amid the Black Lives Matter movement.

Malcolm Harsch and Robert Fuller, two men found hanging from trees within 10 days and 50 miles of each other, also had authorities saying no foul play, though their families deny they would have died by suicide.

So, a noose discovered in Wallace’s garage stall holds heavy meaning, possibly even serving as a threat. Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Are U a NASCAR fan? What do you make of all of this?

[Image via Bubba Wallace/Instagram]