NASCAR says noose found in Bubba Wallace's garage, will seek out, kick out perpetrators of 'this heinous act'
NASCAR said late Sunday that a noose had been found in the garage stall of Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr.'s, the first full-time African American top-tier driver since 1971, at Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway. "We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act," NASCAR said in a statement.
NASCAR, which banned the Confederate flag from its races earlier this month, said it has "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." Wallace issued his own statement, deploring the "despicable act" but saying it "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."
NASCAR told CNN the garage area is open only to essential personnel, including race teams, security and safety personnel, and NASCAR officials. NASCAR President Steve Phelps has previously estimated that due to COVID-19 restrictions, about 900 people are allowed down in the track area, from up to 2,500 before the pandemic, USA Today adds. Sunday's race in Talladega was postponed until Monday due to weather, but Confederate flags waved outside the speedway on Sunday and one with "Defund NASCAR" was seen flying over the track at the back of an airplane.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Is Cop29 a 'waste of time'?
Today's Big Question World leaders stay away as spectre of Donald Trump haunts flagship UN climate summit
By The Week UK Published
-
The rise of the celebrity chef tour
The Week Recommends Chefs and food writers are hosting sell-out live events around the world
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
'Thank you for your service'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published