NO CRIME IN NOOSE INCIDENT: FBI

The U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday it found that no federal crime was committed after a noose was found in the garage of Bubba Wallace, pictured, the only Black driver in NASCAR’S top series. There was evidence the noose had been in garage No. 4 at the Talladega Superspeedway since October 2019, it said. NASCAR said in a statement it appreciated the FBI’S “quick and thorough” investigation. “(NASCAR is) thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba,” it said. The incident rocked NASCAR and took on added significance at a time of heightened tension over racism in the United States. 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 their ban.