
Source: Jared C. Tilton / Getty
The professional racing world is speaking out after NASCAR’s only Black full-time driver received racist threats.
According to Associated Press, a noose was discovered in the Talladega Superspeedway garage stall of Bubba Wallace, a driver who successfully fought for NASCAR to ban the Confederate flag at its venues earlier this month.
NASCAR was founded in the South more than 70 years ago and they’ve allowed the used of the confederate flag at events ever since then. It took Wallace and the current uprisings across the country over racial injustice for the stock car series to finally do away with the flag. Former NASCAR chairman Brian France tried to ban the flying of the flags at tracks five years ago, but his proposal wasn’t enforced and went largely ignored.
NASCAR has yet to outline how it will enforce it’s new restriction on the flag. This week’s race at Talladega, in the heart of the South, served as a test and things didn’t go smoothly. Angry fans with Confederate flags drove past the main entrance to the Alabama race track before Sunday’s race. A plane even flew above the track pulling a banner of the flag that read “Defund NASCAR”.
Due to rain, the race was postponed and a few hours later, NASCAR said the noose was found.
“We are angry and outraged, and cannot state strongly enough how seriously we take this heinous act,” NASCR said in a statement. “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.”
U.S. Attorney Jay Town said his office, along with the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, were looking into the situation. “Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society,” Town said.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said she was “shocked and appalled” by the “vile act” against Wallace, despite Ivey having a racist history of her own, including her support for the death sentence which disproportionately impacts people of color, according to the American Civil Liberty’s Union. Ivey also supported a law in Alabama that banned the removal of Confederate monuments.
“There is no place for this disgusting display of hatred in our state,” Ivey said of the noose incident. “Bubba Wallace is one of us; he is a native of Mobile and on behalf of all Alabamians, I apologize to Bubba Wallace as well as to his family and friends for the hurt this has caused and regret the mark this leaves on our state.”
Fans are not allowed access to the infield or the restricted area of the Cup Series garage, and due to the coronavirus, very few staff members can access the garage where the cars are kept. This would include NASCAR employees, the crew members for each of the 40 teams, Talladega staff members and any contracted safety crews or security guard. Even drives can’t access the garage and they can only go directly from their motorhomes to the race cars to drive. Someone with extensive access or resources had to have reached the garage to place the noose.
Meanwhile, Wallace released a statement on Sunday in response to the noose saying:
“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 received support from his piers in the racing world, including seven-time NASCAR champion and owner of Wallace’s famed No. 43, Richard Petty. The 82-year-old was headed to Talladega to support Wallace and he said he was “enraged by the act of someone placing a noose in the garage stall of my race team.”
“There’s absolutely no place in our sport or society for racism,” wrote the Hall of Famer, who’s known as “The King.” “This filthy act serves as a reminder of how far we still have to go to eradicate racial prejudice and it galvanizes my resolve to use the resources of Richard Petty Motorsports to create change. This sick person who perpetrated this act must be found, exposed and swiftly and immediately expelled from NASCAR.”
More race car drivers and racing journalists showed their support for Wallace. You can check out their responses below.
I Stand With Bubba: Race Car World Speaks Out As FBI Investigates NASCAR Noose Report was originally published on newsone.com
1.
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) June 22, 2020
2.
#IStandWithBubba
— Kyle Busch (@KyleBusch) June 22, 2020
The act of what happened yesterday was horrible and has no place in this world! https://t.co/X9QnfpYdX5 pic.twitter.com/MNMifoZP0M
3.
There’s no place for this in our world and definitely not our sport. #IStandWithBubba https://t.co/SRlXjDECQI
— Alex Bowman (@Alex_Bowman) June 22, 2020
4.
Horrible news that came out last night. Cannot believe something like this could happen and the hate that one must have to do this. I’m praying that we are better from this #IStandWithBubba
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) June 22, 2020
5.
Our unity will flush out the hate. #IStandWithBubba https://t.co/jQ0Gmqs2ei
— Tyler Reddick (@TylerReddick) June 22, 2020
6.
Still lost for words at what happen yesterday. That kind of hate shouldn’t be in our sport or in the world. We are all created equal and all bleed the same. NASCAR is all one big family and we should be building eachother up instead of tearing eachother down. #IStandWithBubba
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) June 22, 2020
7.
The cowardly act that took place in Talladega has no place in this world. I support @NASCAR and their commitment to make racing a place of inclusion. #IStandWithBubba https://t.co/jF7CYzjw1D
— Steve Letarte (@SteveLetarte) June 22, 2020
8.
Still don’t have the right words to say. Just saying prayers for Bubba & his family. #IStandWithBubba
— Jesse Little (@jesselittle97) June 22, 2020
9.
Praying for more Love, more Peace, and more Joy. For all of humanity right now. #IStandWithBubba pic.twitter.com/pF9Jh0QQnk
— Aric Almirola (@Aric_Almirola) June 22, 2020
10.
I’ve been working in my race shop all night.. Around 11:30 at night i washed my hands and got on twitter to see what’s up.. UGH😔.. I am So Sorry my brother @BubbaWallace has to go through this HORRIBLE situation.. I love you, Bubba. #IStandWithBubba
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) June 22, 2020
11.
#IStandWithBubba
— Jim Utter (@jim_utter) June 22, 2020
The question is, where do you stand? Because it's a question everyone associated with #NASCAR needs to ask themselves right now. The answer will determine this sport's future for all of us. The time is now. Be the change you wish to see in the world. ✊