Noose Found In NASCAR Driver's Garage At Talladega

TALLADEGA, AL — A crew member for Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only Black driver, reportedly found a noose hanging in Wallace's garage at the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. Wallace had successfully pushed for NASCAR's ban on displaying the Confederate flag inside the facility.

"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," NASCAR said in a statement. "We have launched an immediate investigation, and will do everything we can to identify the person(s) responsible and eliminate them from the sport."

Wallace made a statement Sunday on social media, saying, "Today's despicable act of racism and hatred leaves me incredible 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."

"The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama, FBI and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division are reviewing the situation surrounding the noose that was found in Bubba Wallace’s garage to determine whether there are violations of federal law," said U.S. Attorney Jay Town on Monday. "Regardless of whether federal charges can be brought, this type of action has no place in our society."

An ESPN report said fans outside the track over the weekend were flying the Confederate flag, which is technically not against NASCAR's new rule.

Wallace is an Alabama native who drives the No. 43 Chevrolet for racing icon Richard Petty.