An FBI investigation into a noose reportedly found in the garage used at Talladega Superspeedway by NASCAR's only black driver Bubba Wallace has concluded that it wasn't a 'hate crime'.
Wallace had earlier led a successful campaign to get NASCAR to ban the display of the Confederate flag at races on the grounds of its historic support for black slavery.
The discovery of the noose triggered an outpouring of support for Wallace, with all drivers standing with him in solidarity during the pre-race ceremonies at the race. Lewis Hamilton was among those to praise NASCAR for coming together to show their support.
But now it appears that the the noose was a pull-down rope on the door of the garage that had been there since at least last September when it was being used by a different team and driver, according to witnesses and photographic evidence.
"After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed," the official report from the FBI on the matter stated.
"The FBI learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week," the statement continued.
"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 decision not to pursue federal charges is proper after reviewing all available facts and all applicable federal laws," the FBI concluded.
Due to stringent coronavirus precautions at the venue, Wallace himself was never in the garage and the noose was reported by one of his team personnel.
“On Sunday, June 21, members of Richard Petty Motorsports discovered a rope tied in fashion of a noose in the garage stall assigned to the team," a statement from the squad said.
“In accordance with established protocols, our team member notified the crew chief who notified NASCAR of the presence of the item in the garage stall," it continued. "NASCAR leadership determined the course of action going forward with an immediate investigation into the item and its possible origins.
©NASCAR/Getty
"As a result of further investigation by the FBI, it was found that the item was not directed towards Wallace or members of the team. No member of Richard Petty Motorsports nor Wallace had any involvement with the presence of the rope.
“We are thankful for the swift and thorough investigation by NASCAR and all of the authorities involved. We are also appreciative of the support from NASCAR, the motorsports industry, and our fans."
But after reviewing the photographic and video images Wallace himself remains unhappy with the conclusion of the report.
"What was hanging in my garage is not a garage pull," he insisted in an interview with CNN. "It was a noose."
"Whether tied in 2019 or whatever, it was a noose. So it wasn't directed at me, but somebody tied a noose. That's what I'm saying."
Wallace was also deeply unhappy with counter-accusations that the discovery of the noose had been a hoax all along, and pointing fingers at Wallace despite the fact he was never in the garage in question.
"I'm mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity," he stated. "This will not break me, none of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down,"
"It will piss me off, absolutely," he added. "But that only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up."
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