Bubba Wallace disputes FBI investigation results: 'It was a noose'

A reported noose found in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway was investigated by the FBI and the backlash over the results of the investigation haven't sat well with the Richard Petty Motorsports driver. 

The FBI concluded that no federal crime was committed and the reported noose in the garage stall was in there as early as October of 2019. Investigators concluded that it was not a threat to Wallace, and the case will no longer be pursued as a hate crime. 

Wallace made an appearance on CNN just hours after the announcement was made on Tuesday, and he disputed the findings of the investigation. 

"The image that I have and I have seen of what was hanging in my garage is not a garage pull. I've been racing all my life, we've raced out of hundreds of garages that never had garage pulls like that," Wallace said, according to TMZ. "It was a noose, whether tied in 2019 or whatever, it was a noose.

"So, it wasn't directed at me but somebody tied a noose. That's what I'm saying."

Among the criticism he's received, many state he and NASCAR overreacted from the beginning, though he's now trying to shake off the hate. Wallace now says he's more motivated than ever to win amid the backlash and wants to "shut everybody up."

While he didn't win at Talladega, Wallace finished 14th after starting from the 24th position. Ryan Blaney took home the win after starting 12th. Wallace will have another crack at a first-place finish at Pocono Raceway on Saturday.