Federal agencies investigating a noose found in the garage stall of Black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace said Tuesday that the noose had been in the stall since late 2019 and that no federal crimes were committed.
“On Monday, fifteen FBI special agents conducted numerous interviews regarding the situation at Talladega Superspeedway. After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Town in a statement Tuesday.
“The FBI 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,” Town continued.
In a statement Tuesday, NASCAR said the FBI report and photographic evidence concluded a garage door pull rope fashioned into a noose had been in the garage since as early as fall 2019.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 23, 2020
“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,” NASCAR’s statement reads.
The door pull made into a noose was found at the first race in Alabama after NASCAR announced it had banned Confederate flags at races and on NASCAR property. Wallace had publicly called for the ban.
“The decision not to pursue federal charges is proper after reviewing all available facts and all applicable federal laws. We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who cooperated with this investigation,” Town said.
