NASCAR says a ‘lifetime ban’ for person who hung noose; They have a list of people who were in the area

NASCAR is working with the FBI to figure out who hung the noose at Talladega Superspeedway; NASCAR president is ‘offended’ that some think it’s a staged event

Yesterday, the NASCAR Cup Series race was postponed due to weather. The cars were impounded in the NASCAR garage area as the race at Talladega Superspeedway was put on hold until Monday.

As the car sat in the garage area, a noose was hung over the No. 43 car driven by Bubba Wallace. He’s the sole African-American driver.

Update: FBI concludes noose investigation from Talladega NASCAR race; It’s been there since October 2019

The act of racism came just weeks after NASCAR announced a ban of the Confederate flag. A ban that was encouraged by Bubba Wallace.

Related: Confederate flag banned from NASCAR events

NASCAR President Steve Phelps comments on the noose

Today, the NASCAR President offered more details…

“Late afternoon, a crew member from the 43 team discovered a noose in the 43 garage stall. That crew member informed NASCAR.”

“NASCAR security got involved. I’ve got a small group of senior leaders together to try and determine what the next steps would be.”

“First thing was to launch an immediate investigation into this heinous act. This morning at 7:30, we notified the Birmingham office of the FBI. They are currently on site and have started their investigation.”

“This is a very serious act and we take it as such. We will do everything in our power to make sure whoever has committed this act comes to justice and comes to light.”

“Unequivocally, they will be banned from this sport for life. There’s no room for this, at all. We won’t tolerate it and they won’t be here. I don’t care who they are, they will not be here.”

Related: Richard Petty wants person who hung noose to be ‘exposed’; NASCAR adds details

Bubba Wallace - NASCAR driver
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – JUNE 22: Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway on June 22, 2020 in Talladega, Alabama. A noose was found in the garage stall of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway a week after the organization banned the Confederate flag at its facilities. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Communication to Bubba Wallace

“I am the one who informed Bubba that this act had happened,” Steve Phelps commented.

“it was a difficult moment for Bubba and for me. But, he’s handled it with the grace that he has handled everything that has happened over the last few weeks.”

NASCAR did allow the Richard Petty Motorsports team to look over the car to check for tampering.

“We did allow the team to look at the car and make sure it was in good shape.”

“We want to make sure that Bubba is safe and we have stepped up security. This is a family who needs to take care of one of it’s family members who’s been attacked.”

Related: FBI investigating noose hung in NASCAR garage

Bubba Wallace - NASCAR garage area at Talladega Superspeedway
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA – JUNE 22: The #43 Victory Junction Chevrolet, driven by Bubba Wallace(not pictured), waits in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on June 22, 2020 in Talladega, Alabama. A noose was found in the garage stall of NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway a week after the organization banned the Confederate flag at its facilities. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

NASCAR garage cameras and access

“We’re not going to get into specifics about the number of cameras, what is on the cameras, how many… We will collect all that information. It will be part of what the FBI is looking at.”

Who had access to the NASCAR garage area?

“We have a very small number of people who are in the footprint. Only essential personnel were there. We’ll review the entire list with the FBI about who had access at that particular time.”

“We also use something called compartmentalization, we’ll look at who was in that particular area. We’ll be able to narrow that down.”

Could there have been a breach?

“I can’t say no. But, the security around the footprint, is significant.”

“We’re going to use every effort we can to determine who has done this. The Birmingham office has been informed to use all their resources as well.”

Bubba Wallace at Martinsville Speedway with the Black Lives Matter car - NASCAR Cup Series
MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA – JUNE 10: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, wears a “I Can’t Breath – Black Lives Matter” t-shirt under his firesuit in solidarity with protesters around the world taking to the streets after the death of George Floyd on May 25, stands next to his car painted with “Compassion, Love, Understanding” prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on June 10, 2020 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Staged event?

It’s been widely speculated on social media this is a staged event. They reference actor Jussie Smollett who staged a hate crime in 2019.

“I can’t speak for those on social media who would say this is a staged event. I would say that is something that personally offends me.”

“This is a terrible fact that has happened. For those that would think this is staged, I don’t even know where to go with that, frankly.”

The race is set to get underway at Talladega Superspeedway. Ahead of the event, the drivers pushed the car of Bubba Wallace to the front of the pit lane. Every driver then stood next to Wallace’s car for the National Anthem.

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Richard Petty Motorsports | Bubba Wallace | NASCAR | Talladega Superspeedway

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