Jun 14, 2020; Homestead, Florida, USA; Driver Bubba Wallace stands for the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Cup series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Pool Photo-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Richard Petty 'enraged' by someone placing noose in Bubba Wallace's stall

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/22/20

A noose was found in the garage stall of Bubba Wallace on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, according to ESPN, and it comes less than two weeks after the sport's only African American driver successfully got the Confederate flag banned from all races and facilities.

Wallace, who is the driver of the No. 43 Chevrolet for Richard Petty Motorsports, called the act "despicable," among other things, and now Petty himself has released a statement. The racing legend said he is "enraged" that someone would do such a thing.

Richard Petty statement:
“I am enraged.” pic.twitter.com/8pa2bdgz1r
— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) June 22, 2020

Wallace never saw the noose, though a member of his team did and immediately reported it to NASCAR officials.

While NASCAR has tried to distance itself from the Confederate flag for years, many fans outside the track on Sunday waved and displayed it. A plane even flew above the track pulling a banner of a Confederate flag that said "Defund NASCAR."

Following the incident, many reached out to Wallace, including Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and racing legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., who wrote "Hope Bubba wins it tomorrow."

Petty is expected to be in attendance to stand in solidarity with Wallace following the racist incident. The GEICO 500 is set to begin Monday afternoon after being postponed due to inclement weather on Sunday.

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