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The track, which hosts NASCAR, NHRA and other
motorsports events, said in a statement Monday, "A Sonoma
Raceway staff member discovered a piece of twine tied in what
appeared to be a noose hanging from a tree on raceway property.
Our staff, on-site business tenants and local law enforcement
have been contacted and asked to share any information they may
have. The incident is under investigation by the Sonoma County
Sheriff's Department.
"Sonoma Raceway takes this incident very seriously and is
dedicated to operating a facility that is welcoming to
everyone."
Sonoma Raceway president Steve Page wrote in an email to staff
and tenants that surveillance footage was being examined,
according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The reported noose in Northern California was found the day
before a noose was found in the garage of NASCAR's lone Black
driver, Bubba Wallace, at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
NASCAR has vowed to find out who was behind the Talladega noose
and ban the perpetrator from the circuit.
Wallace was a key figure in prompting NASCAR's recent move to
ban the Confederate flag from its racetracks.
On Monday, before the GEICO 500 at Talladega, Wallace's fellow
drivers and their crews pushed his No. 43 car to the front of
the pack, then stood behind him in a symbolic show of
solidarity. Hall of Famer Richard Petty, owner of the No. 43
team, stood next to Wallace during the national anthem.
Wallace was briefly in contention but wound up in 14th place
during a race won by Ryan Blaney in a photo finish over Ricky
Stenhouse Jr.
The NASCAR Cup Series event scheduled for June 14 at Sonoma, the
Toyota/Save Mart 350, was canceled last month due to the
coronavirus pandemic. The NHRA Sonoma Nationals, slated for July
24-26, also were canceled.
(Field Level Media)
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