BUBBA Wallace has said he is “pissed” over allegations he staged the noose hanging in his garage.
Nascar’s only black driver was speaking after the FBI said no hate crime had been committed and the rope was in fact already in the garage before Wallace and his team arrived.
The 26-year-old had said he was the target of a hate crime, after his pivotal role in banning the Confederate flag from rallies.
The claim – in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests – touched a raw nerve as nooses were used in the lynching of African Americans in the South.
Speaking to CNN, Wallace said he was angry that he was being accused of staging the event.
“I’m sorry. I’m pissed,” said Wallace told interviewer Don Lemon.
“I’m mad because people are trying to test my character and the person that I am and my integrity. They’re not stealing that from me, but trying to test that.
Wallace said he was trying hard to avoid looking at social media to prevent getting more upset.
“I’m trying hard not to. And the I’ll probably turn my phone off tonight,” he said.
“But to hear my side of the story and I don’t mean to steal your spotlight. My side needs to be heard.”
The driver said claims about him staging the hanging noose will fuel his competitive instincts.
“None of the allegations of being a hoax will break me or tear me down.
“That only fuels the competitive drive in me to shut everybody up and get on the 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 or tear me down. I will stand proud of where I’m at.”
A video posted on YouTube 2019 showed a pull rope featuring a noose hanging from the garage door in the same stall used by Wallace and his team at the Talladega Superspeedway earlier this week.
On Monday, 15 special agents conducted "numerous interviews" regarding the situation at Talladega Superspeedway, the FBI said.
"After a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime was committed."
Wallace was instrumental in the Confederate Flag ban from rallies, which went into effect earlier this month, and has seen an outpouring of support from his racing rivals and colleagues.
On Monday, Wallace steered his number 43 car to the front of the grid, as NASCAR champion Kyle Busch pushed on one side, and Ryan Blaney, another racer, pushed the other.
Crew members and the entire 40 driver-strong field followed behind.
As the car came to a stop, an emotional Wallace climbed out, sat on the window ledge and sobbed.
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