The US Justice Department has found that no federal crime was committed after a noose was found in the Talladega Superspeedway garage of Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR's top series.
A crew member for Richard Petty Motorsports discovered the noose on Sunday at the Alabama race track.
NASCAR was alerted and contacted the FBI, which sent 15 agents to the track to investigate.
"After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed," the department and FBI said in a statement on Tuesday.
There was evidence the noose had been in garage No. 4 since October 2019, it said.
"Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week," the statement said.
NASCAR accepted the findings but President Steve Phelps said the series is continuing its own investigation to determine why a noose had been in that garage stall at all.
"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall," NASCAR said in a statement.
“We appreciate the FBI’s quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing,” the statement read.
The incident rocked NASCAR and took on added significance at a time of heightened tension over racism in the United States.
Black NASCAR Driver Bubba Wallace has been vocal on race issues following the death of George Floyd. Source: AP
All 39 of Wallace's fellow NASCAR drivers and their crews rallied around him and before Monday's race push his No.43 car to the front of pit road before the national anthem and stood behind him in solidarity.
Wallace was joined by his team owner, Hall of Famer Petty, who gently placed a hand on Wallace's shoulder as he sobbed
"It's just been hectic, you know, carrying this weight," Wallace said after Monday's race.
"I'm proud to stand where I'm at and carry a new face... The sport is changing."
In the wake of the nationwide protests against racism and police brutality, NASCAR announced this month that Confederate flags would be prohibited from all of its events and properties.
Wallace was one of the loudest voices in the push for the banning of Confederate flags, formerly a common sight at NASCAR events.
The hangman's noose is connected to lynching in the United States and is symbol of violence and racism against African Americans.
