'I will not back down'" Bubba Wallace responds after noose found in his garage

NASCAR News

NASCAR pledges to "eliminate" the perpetrator from the sport after a noose was found in Bubba Wallace's garage at Talladega

Bubba Wallace, Martinsville 2020

Bubba Wallace says he will not be deterred from speaking out against racism

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Author

Dominic Tobin

Bubba Wallace has said that he will continue to stand for what he believes in after a noose was found in his garage at this weekend’s NASCAR meeting at Talladega.

An investigation has been launched after the rope was discovered yesterday afternoon. NASCAR has pledged to “eliminate” the perpetrator from the sport.

Wallace is the only top-level black NASCAR driver and has spoken about receiving daily racial abuse. In recent races, he has competed with a Black Lives Matters livery, featuring one black and one white fist united on the bonnet, above the words “Compassion, Love, Understanding”.

“This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down”

He has also led the campaign against the Confederate flag, which was since banned at NASCAR events. A plane flew over Talladega at the weekend, towing a flag and the words ‘Defund NASCAR’.

“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.

“Over the last several weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the support from people across the NASCAR industry including other drivers and team members in the garage,” said Bubba Wallace in a statement posted on social media.

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“Together, our sport has made a commitment to driving real change and championing a community that is accepting and welcoming of everyone.

“Nothing is more important and we will not be deterred by the reprehensible actions of those who seek to spread hate.

“As my mother told me today, ‘They are just trying to scare you.’ This will not break me, I will not give in nor will I back down. I will continue to proudly stand for what I believe in.”

NASCAR released a statement overnight, pledging to stamp out racism in the series.

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

“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.”

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