NASCAR Investigates Noose Found In Garage Stall Of Black Driver Bubba Wallace

TOPLINE

A noose was discovered in the garage stall of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at an Alabama race on Sunday, less than two weeks after the only Black driver in the competition led calls for the removal of Confederate flags from racetracks.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

Wallace said in the statement: “Today’s despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me 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.”

He added: “As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you.’ 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.” Wallace also said he had received overwhelming support from people in the industry over the last few weeks.

Key background

NASCAR has in recent years tried to distance itself from the flag, which has been a feature at races throughout its 72-year history. Former NASCAR chairman Brian France tried to ban the confederate flag from the racetrack in 2015, calling it an “insensitive symbol,” particularly in the wake of the mass shooting of nine Black churchgoers in Charleston and after killer Dylann Roof associated himself with the symbol. France faced a backlash from fans of the sport, which originated with stock car racing in Southern states, but Black fans recently told CNN that it represents slavery and a painful reminder of history.

Tangent

There was a small protest off-site at the ban on Sunday. Hundreds of cars adorned with Confederate flags drove past the race track entrance, the New York Times reports.

Further reading

Sports World Shocked Over Noose Found In Bubba Wallace NASCAR Race Stall (Forbes)

NASCAR Says It Will Ban Confederate Flags (New York Times)

For black NASCAR fans, the Confederate flag ban is welcome but long overdue (CNN)