No doubt, but we're all guilty of jumping to conclusions. The current environment isn't helping. Everyone should stop and think before they react or respond, myself included. NASCAR didn't handle this correctly in my opinion...but they got what they wanted.
It's a rope, a handle isn't needed and a noose isn't a handle

. Tie some simple knot every foot or so, or put a bimini twist knot or a farmers loop there if you want a handle.
Perhaps whoever tied it isn't well versed in knots...
(Navy guy here)