Racism In NASCAR: Justice Department Investigating Noose Found In Bubba Wallace's Garage at Talladega Raceway

The U.S. Department of Justice said Monday it would be working alongside federal and local authorities in their investigation of a noose found in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only Black driver.

“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,” U.S. Attorney Jay Town said in a statement. “Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society.”

NASCAR said Wallace’s team found the noose Sunday in their stall at the Talladega Speedway in Lincoln, Alabama, while prepping for Monday’s race.

“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” NASCAR said. “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.”

Authorities said they suspect NASCAR banning the Confederate flag from races and facilities starting on June 10 was the motive for the act, but said a suspect had not been identified.

Wallace, 26, was among the most outspoken advocates for the ban and was regularly seen wearing clothes referencing the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protest ahead of the ban. He also had Black Lives Matter painted onto his car ahead of the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 in Ridgeway, Virginia.

NASCAR told ESPN Wallace never saw the noose before his team removed it from the garage. However, it still drew a sharp response from Wallace on Twitter.

Wallace’s statement was echoed by former NASCAR driver Richard Petty, 82, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports. The seven-time NASCAR champion said he was “enraged” over the display of apparent racism towards his team’s young driver.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also condemned the act in a statement released Monday.

“I am shocked and appalled to hear of yesterday’s vile act against Bubba Wallace in Talladega -there is no place for this disgusting display of hatred in our state. Racism and threats of this nature will not be condoned nor tolerated, and I commit to assisting in any way possible to ensure that the person responsible for this is caught and punished. While the important conversation of racial reconciliation is ongoing all over our country, it is clear there is much work to do. Bubba Wallace is one of us; he is a native of Mobile and on behalf of all Alabamians, I apologize to Bubba Wallace as well as to his family and friends for the hurt this has caused and regret the mark this leaves on our state. I ask the NASCAR family to rally around Bubba and his team as they compete today and I know that there are more people who are wishing him well today than ever before.”

Monday’s race scheduled for 3 p.m. was originally planned for Sunday but was delayed due to poor weather conditions. It will be the first major sports event to allow fans back since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, though only 5,000 will be allowed inside the facility, which can typically house anywhere between 80,000 to 175,000.

Several drivers are reportedly planning a show of support for Wallace before the start of the race.