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NASCAR revealed on Sunday that someone found a noose in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall. Wallace is the only black driver in NASCAR’s top circuit.
Lately, he has been very outspoken about the Black Lives Matter movement. He even called for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag. As a result, NASCAR banned the flag on June 10.
NASCAR told CNN that they found the noose in an area for essential personnel only. This includes NASCAR officials, race teams, health and safety personnel, and security.
NASCAR issued the following statement on the incident:
“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act. We have launched an immediate investigation and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport.”
NASCAR added that the incident “only strengthens our resolve to make the sport open and welcoming to all.” Thankfully, most fans support this stance. However, not everyone does.
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On Twitter, Wallace spoke out on Sunday about what happened. He said the “despicable act” left him “incredibly saddened, and serves as a painful reminder of how much further we have to go as a society and how persistent we must be in the fight against racism.
“Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and team members in the garage. Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone.
“Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate. As my mother told me today, “They are just trying to scare you.”
He added, “This will not break me. I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.”
On Sunday, NASCAR fans returned to the track in Talladega, Alabama. Upon arriving, they saw a Confederate flag banner that read, “Defund NASCAR” flying over the track. Across the street, folks sold confederate memorabilia.
NASCAR postponed the race to Monday on account of the weather. Hopefully, fans can focus on the event and will be able to push politics aside. Otherwise, they might be reaching for headache relief.
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