FBI: Wallace not victim of hate crime, noose was pull rope for garage door

The FBI concluded its investigation into a noose found in Black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday and determined that "no federal crime was committed," the agency announced Tuesday.

"Garage No. 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wallace last week. The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage No. 4 was in that garage as early as October 2019," the FBI statement read. "Although the noose is now known to have been in garage No. 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage No. 4 last week.

"The decision not to pursue federal charges is proper after reviewing all available facts and all applicable federal laws. We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who cooperated."

Some 15 special agents were tasked with the investigation.

NASCAR released its own statement explaining that the rope in question was "a garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose," and had been in position on the garage door long before Wallace's team arrived at Talladega last week.

"We appreciate the FBI's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba," NASCAR said. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing."

A crew member for Wallace's team, Richard Petty Motorsports, first noticed the noose on Sunday, the team said in a statement, per Amna Nawaz of PBS. Once the crew chief was notified of the finding it was reported to NASCAR. Petty's statement noted that Wallace was only made aware of the noose by NASCAR president Steve Phelps.

"This was the best result we could hope for," Phelps told reporters, according to Jamie Hale of ABC 3340 Birmingham. "I do want to make sure everyone understands that given the evidence that was delivered to us, we would have done the same thing; the same investigation."

Wallace - the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR's Cup Series - finished 14th in Monday's rescheduled Geico 500. Before the race began, his fellow drivers and crew members pushed Wallace's car to the front of the grid in an emotional show of solidarity.

NASCAR has been taking steps to address racism in the sport, with Wallace taking a prominent role in pushing for change. In part thanks to his urging, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from all sanctioned events.

Earlier Tuesday, Wallace appeared on ABC's "The View" and addressed conspiracy theories suggesting the noose was planted to garner support following the Confederate flag ban.

"It offends me that people would go to those measures but again, I'm not shocked," Wallace said. "People are entitled to their own opinions to make them feel good and help them sleep at night."

Wallace expanded on his thoughts in the aftermath of the incident during an interview with CNN's Don Lemon Tuesday night.