FBI agents investigating the noose found hanging in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage say no crime was committed -- because the noose actually wasn't a noose at all.
Making the announcement Tuesday, FBI officials said security video shows the rope had been hung in the Talladega Superspeedway garage eight months ago, to make pulling down the garage door easier. Since Wallace was only assigned the garage last week, "nobody could have known" the rope had been there since last year, according to an FBI report.
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"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as early as last fall," NASCAR said in its statement. "This was obviously well before the 43 team's arrival and garage assignment."
The discovery of the noose over the weekend sparked widespread outrage, prompting a number of sports figures to come forward to condemn the act. Competitors at Monday's race rallied behind Wallace, NASCAR's only black driver, by pushing his car to the front of the starting line.
"We appreciate the FBI's quick and thorough investigation and are thankful to learn that this was not an intentional, racist act against Bubba. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all who love racing," NASCAR added.
Read the full report on ESPN.