Noose found in Bubba Wallace's NASCAR garage after he pushed for Confederate flag ban

NASCAR has revealed that a noose was found in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace just two weeks after the sports only full-time black driver successfully pushed for a ban on Confederate flags at races.

Wallace was extremely vocal in the debate that proceeded NASCAR's decision.

"No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race. It starts with Confederate flags," Wallace told CNN's Don Lemon. "Get them out of here. They have no place for them."

Less than two weeks ago, NASCAR announced that it would ban the Confederate flag at its tracks and facilities.

"Bravo," Wallace said after the ban. "Props to NASCAR and everybody involved. ... There's a lot of emotions on the racetrack and off the racetrack that are riding with us. Tonight is something special. Today has been special. Hats off to NASCAR." 

"There's going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly but it's time for change," he added.

Unfortunately, Wallace's prediction seems to have been accurate. On Sunday, NASCAR announced that a noose had been found in the driver's stall at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama.

"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."

"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."

According to ESPN, Wallace did not see the noose, and it was spotted by a member of his team who alerted NASCAR.

Unsurprisingly, Wallace strongly condemned the act on social media.

"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," Wallace wrote.

"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. 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."

Some fans, however, seem to believe that Wallace planted the noose. On Twitter, many compared to the situation to that of Jussie Smollett, who alleged that he was the victim of a  racist and homophobic attack in Chicago last year. 

Smollett was later indicted by a special prosecutor in Illinois on six counts of lying to police. Police allege that the actor paid two people to carry out the attack "to promote his career" because he was "dissatisfied with his salary."

Despite there being no evidence of Wallace planting the noose, one Twitter user wrote: "I’ve got $10 we have another Jussie Smolett case going on with NASCAR drive Wallace."

Others defending Wallace, with one writing: "Stop calling the Bubba Wallace story another Jussie Smollett situation. We don’t know the facts yet. Let’s try and learn from the past."

Despite the ban on Confederate flags inside NASCAR facilities, there were many Confederate flags outside the Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday. A plane also flew over the event, waving a Confederate flag behind it along with a sign that read, "Defund NASCAR."

"People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance," one NASCAR fan outside the event told ESPN on Sunday. "It's been around for as long as all of us have been. I don't think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It's just a Southern thing. It's transparent. It's just a heritage thing."

Another added: "I don't think there's a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you. That doesn't sit well with all the good ol' boys, but it is what it is."