Bubba Wallace has the support of two big-time sports figures after NASCAR announced late Sunday that a noose was found in the driver's garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway.
LeBron James and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were among those to react to the news on social media. Wallace is NASCAR's lone Black driver in the Cup Series.
Earnhardt will be pulling for Wallace in the rain-delayed GEICO 500 on Monday afternoon.
Hope Bubba wins it tomorrow.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) June 22, 2020
MORE: Dale Jr.'s perspective on race is changing through Bubba Wallace
James reacted with outrage and encouragement:
Sickening! @BubbaWallace my brother! Know you don’t stand alone! I’m right here with you as well as every other athlete. I just want to continue to say how proud I am of you for continuing to take a stand for change here in America and sports! @NASCAR I salute you as well! 🙏🏾✊🏾👑 https://t.co/1TwkjVHai5
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 22, 2020
Other reactions within the NASCAR community:
God help us. The level of evil it takes to do something like this is disgusting. This is enraging and heartbreaking all at the same time. pic.twitter.com/FovpeTwINu
— Michael McDowell (@Mc_Driver) June 22, 2020
I’ve been working in my race shop all night.. Around 11:30 at night i washed my hands and got on twitter to see what’s up.. UGH😔.. I am So Sorry my brother @BubbaWallace has to go through this HORRIBLE situation.. I love you, Bubba. #IStandWithBubba
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) June 22, 2020
I can’t begin to fathom the pain this action has caused. I stand with you @BubbaWallace. https://t.co/lV8v46ktWN
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) June 22, 2020
I’m competing against @BubbaWallace on the racetrack today, but #IStandWithBubba every day. You come at him with ugliness, you’re coming at all of us.
— Erik Jones (@Erik_Jones) June 22, 2020
I’m irate after learning about the horrible, racist act committed yesterday at Talladega. Angry. Outraged. Disappointed. Those words don’t fully describe how I feel. #IStandWithBubba and I’ll damn sure stand up to anyone who engages in this kind of behavior. I’m beyond over it.
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) June 22, 2020
The act of hate caught the eye of Alabama senator Doug Jones:
We’re with you Bubba. The journey to racial justice has taken far too long. Keep your eyes on @bubbawallace at Talladega, keep that racist’s noose in your thoughts and ask: when will this end? Maybe Bubba can get us to that checkered flag 🏁 a bit sooner. It’s time America. https://t.co/dK51FgnjoR
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) June 22, 2020
