TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - JUNE 22: A view of pit road is seen with an #IStandWithBubba stencil 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 Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images
TALLADEGA, ALABAMA - JUNE 22: A view of pit road is seen with an #IStandWithBubba stencil 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 Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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NASCAR investigating after noose found in Bubba Wallace’s garage stall at Talladega UPDATES

June 22, 2020 at 3:50 PM

NOTE: This article has been updated throughout the day.  Scroll down for various subjects: NASCAR President Steve Phelps held a teleconference Monday afternoon, confirmation that the FBI is investigating, a statement from Richard Petty, a statement from the Governor of Alabama, drivers’ support of Wallace prior to the race, and tweets from numerous Cup drivers.

NASCAR issued the following statement Sunday evening:

“Late this afternoon, NASCAR was made aware that a noose was found in the garage stall of the 43 team. 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. 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.”

Bubba Wallace’s response:

NASCAR teleconference: NASCAR President Steve Phelps talked to the media Monday afternoon.  Some notes:

  • The investigation is still ongoing.
  • A #43 team crew member found the noose in the garage stall yesterday and notified security. Senior NASCAR leadership got involved to determine the next steps.
  • The Birmingham FBI was notified at 7:30am this morning and is on site.
  • NASCAR won’t discuss specifics regarding cameras in the garage yet. That will be a part of the investigation and info will be released as soon as possible.
  • Only essential personnel were in the area at the time. That is a very small number of people. NASCAR has that list and has shared it with the FBI.
  • NASCAR will use every effort to determine who did it. All resources from NASCAR and the FBI will be available.
  • Phelps said, it “personally offends me” for people to say that NASCAR staged the noose.
  • NASCAR says the perpetrator will “unequivocally” be banned from NASCAR for life.
  • Phelps says he is the one that notified Bubba of the incident. He says Bubba handled it with the grace that he has handled everything over the past few weeks.
  • NASCAR did let the team look at the car this morning to make sure nothing had happened to it.
  • A complete transcript of the call is posted here.

AND: Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass says NASCAR has notified the FBI, which the organization has confimed:

AND: Statement from Richard Petty, who plans to attend the race at Talladega:

Richard Petty Statement 06222020

AND: Drivers are planning a show of support for Bubba Wallace at Talladega on Monday:

AND: #IStandWithBubba has been painted on the infield grass at Talladega Superspeedway

AND: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued the the following statement in support of Wallace on Monday morning:

“I am shocked and appalled to hear of yesterday’s vile act against Bubba Wallace in Talladega – there is no place for this disgusting display of hatred in our state. Racism and threats of this nature will not be condoned nor tolerated, and I commit to assisting in any way possible to ensure that the person responsible for this is caught and punished. While the important conversation of racial reconciliation is ongoing all over our country, it is clear there is much work to do. 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. I ask the NASCAR family to rally around Bubba and his team as they compete today and I know that there are more people who are wishing him well today than ever before.”

AND: Many NASCAR drivers have reacted to the news (adding Tweets as we find them. This list shouldn’t be considered comprehensive):