NASCAR’s Bubba Wallace is reacting after the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI finding on Tuesday that no federal crime was committed following what appeared to be a noose hanging from Wallace’s garage, as IJR reported.
The DOJ also said that the apparent noose had been in the garage since October 2019.
The DOJ statement read, “Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in 2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.”
“The federal investigation shows this wasn’t a hate crime. Talk to me about what’s going through your head? How are you feeling right now?” CNN’s Don Lemon said during an interview with Wallace on Tuesday evening.
Wallace responded, “I’m pissed.”
The race car driver continued:
“I’m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity. And they’re not stealing that away from me, but they are just trying to test that. And as a person, Don, that doesn’t need the fame, doesn’t need the hype, doesn’t need the media, I could care less. I give two craps about that. But, to sit there read, that’s my problem I’m reading too much into it. And investing too much time.”
He added, “My side needs to be heard.”
Watch Wallace’s interview below:
Lemon later added:
“Fair-minded people are not accusing you of doing anything wrong. You were simply reacting to what NASCAR, what the head of NASCAR told you happened. Now listen, this is how I feel about it. People can think what they want. Did NASCAR get it wrong? I shouldn’t say that. Did they jump the gun maybe? Yes. But, I am extremely happy with what and I think most Americans are, what NASCAR is doing.”
Wallace said, “None of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down. Will it piss me off? Absolutely, but that only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up, to get back out on the race track next week…and showcase what I can do behind the wheel under tremendous amounts of BS.”
“Whatever it is you want to say. It won’t break me, it won’t tear me down. Again, I will still stand proud of where I’m at,” he added.