Bubba Wallace 'Relieved' Investigation Found Noose in Garage Wasn't Hate Crime

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace has responded to the FBI's investigation that determined the noose found in his garage at Talladega Superspeedway wasn't a hate crime. 

In a statement released on Twitter, Wallace called it "an emotional few days" and said he was "relieved" that the investigation concluded "this wasn't what we feared it was":

The investigation stemmed from NASCAR's announcement on Monday that it had been "made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of [Wallace's] team. ... We have launched an immediate investigation, and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport."

The FBI and U.S. Department of Justice also launched an investigation into the situation to determine if any federal laws were broken. 

After the FBI determined the rope had been in the garage "as early as October 2019," NASCAR said in a statement it appreciated the FBI's "quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba." 

NASCAR also stated it would continue to work toward "providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing."

Wallace has been outspoken in trying to make the sport more welcoming to Black fans. He had a Black Lives Matter paint scheme on his car for the June 10 race at Martinsville Speedway amid the ongoing protests following George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis Police custody on May 25. 

NASCAR announced on June 10 it was banning the Confederate flag from all of its events and properties. 

Wallace is the only Black driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. In 2018, he became the sport's first full-time Black driver since Wendell Scott's last full season in 1971.