Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway this past Monday (NASCAR via Getty Images)FBI Concludes Noose Incident at Talladega Was Not a Hate Crime June 24, 2020 NASCAR The FBI has concluded the rope found hanging in the pit stall assigned to Bubba Wallace this past weekend at Talladega Superspeedway was not intended to be a hate crime against NASCAR’s only full-time black driver. The FBI said it “learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week.” “The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019. Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week,” the agency said. Fifteen agents were assigned to the NASCAR investigation. An image taken from a 2019 YouTube video shows the garage door rope in the stall used by Bubba Wallace’s race team earlier this week at Talladega “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,” NASCAR said in a statement. “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.” Wallace appeared on CNN Tuesday evening to discuss the findings… Wallace drives the iconic No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports. The team issued the following statement after the FBI report was issued:
