The FBI has concluded that a noose found in the garage of NASCAR Cup driver Bubba Walla🥂ce at Talladega was not a hate crime, following an investigation.

The pull down rope was dis🥃cove🌟red in Wallace’s garage stall at the Talladega circuit on Saturday, prompting NASCAR to launch an investigation into the incident and involve the FBI.

But no charges will be brought after it emerged the rope had bℱeen hanging in the garage since October last year.

Wallace, who is the series’ only full-time A✱frican-American driver, had brandished the discovery as a “despicable act of racism ꦏand hatred”, while NASCAR vowed to “eliminate” racists following the incident.

"On Monday, fifteen FBI special agents conducted numerous interviews regarding the situation at Talladega Superspeedway. Aft📖er a thorough review of the facts and evidence surrounding this event, we have concluded that no federal crime waꩲs committed,” a joint statement from US attorney Jay E Town and FBI special agent Johnnie Sharp Jr read.

"The FBI learned that garage number 4, where the noose was found, was assigned to Bubba Wᩚᩚ✃ᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚallace last week.

"The investigation also revealed evidence, including authentic video confirmed by NASCAR, that the noose found in garage number 4 was🗹 in that garage as early as October 2019.

"Although the noose is now known to have been in garage number 4 in ꦗ2019, nobody could have known Mr. Wallace would be assigned to garage number 4 last week.

"The decision not to pursue federal charges is proper after reviewing all available facts and all applicable fed💟eral laws.

"We offer our thanks to NASCAR, Mr. Wallace, and everyone who💞 cooperated with this investigation.”

NASCAR released its own statement on Tuesday, adding: "The FBI has completed its investigation at Talladega Superspeedway andဣ determined that Bubba Wallace was not the target of a hate crime.

"The FBI report concludes, and photographic evidence confirms, that the garage door pull rope fashioned like a noose had been positioned there since as earl﷽y as last fall.

"This was obvi𒐪ously well before the 43 team's arrival and garag𓆏e assignment.

"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 ꧒love racing."