NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace – FBI Rules No Hate Crime Occurred, He Reacts: It Was A Straight Up Noose [VIDEO]

NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace – FBI Rules No Hate Crime Occurred, He Reacts: It Was A Straight Up Noose [VIDEO]

Update #2 (June 24th): The FBI has determined that what was said to be a noose hanging in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace’s garage was not a hate crime, according to recent reports. NASCAR released a statement, noting that the pull rope had been in the garage since last year. Bubba Wallace was assigned the garage recently.

“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.”

It continued,

“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.”

THREAD: Here's Bubba Wallace's full CNN interview with Don Lemon.

In his first reaction to it not being a hate crime, Bubba immediately expresses anger at critics: "I'm pissed. I'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity." pic.twitter.com/R4C8k15ife

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) June 24, 2020

Bubba Wallace has since said that he stands by how NASCAR handled the ordeal. He told CNN’s Don Lemon, 

“I stand by Steve [Phelps, NASCAR’s president]. I stand by NASCAR.”

Still, he also made it clear he’s not happy about how he’s been portrayed amid the FBI’s findings.

“I’m pissed. I’m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity. They’re not stealing that away from me, they’re just trying to test that… I could care less, I could give two craps about that. I’m reading too much into it…”

THREAD: Here's Bubba Wallace's full CNN interview with Don Lemon.

In his first reaction to it not being a hate crime, Bubba immediately expresses anger at critics: "I'm pissed. I'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity." pic.twitter.com/R4C8k15ife

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) June 24, 2020

He also said he’s convinced it was a noose hanging in the garage, especially because he’s been so vocal about NASCAR getting rid of the confederate flag.

“I’ve been racing all my life, we’ve raced out of hundreds of garages and never had garage pulls like that… It’s a straight up noose… I can confirm that. I’ve actually gotten evidence of what was hanging in my garage to confirm that it was a noose; never seen anything like it.”

Asked if he's seen ropes in the garage, Bubba says it was a noose and "it took time" to do: "From the evidence that we have, that I have, it's a straight up noose….I can confirm that. I actually got evidence of what was hanging in my garage over my car around my pit crew guys." pic.twitter.com/hslHkyOeTf

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) June 24, 2020

Original Story: A noose was found in the garage of NASCAR’s only black driver, Bubba Wallace. The noose was found in his garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, on Sunday (June 21st). The incident comes after he successfully encouraged NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities.

NASCAR released the following statement:

“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.”

Bubba Wallace responded on social media writing:

“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. 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.”

Bubba Wallace is the only black driver who races full-time in NASCAR’s top three series.

What are your thoughts about this incident? Let us know in the comments.