1921-08-28 This date marks the birth of Wendell Scott in 1921. He was an African American racecar driver. Wendell Oliver Scott blended driving talent and determination into a long career on the otherwise all-white NASCAR Grand National tour. He is the only black to win a major-league NASCAR race. Scott was from Danville, Virginias Crooktown section. His first driving job was as a taxi driver. Later he hauled illegal whiskey, an occupation that called for skills as both a high-performance mechanic and a fearless driver. Early on, blacks were barred from many major races. In the 1920s, black drivers tried to arrange racing circuits, But the prize money was meager at best. Nevertheless, Scott set his sights on breaking into organized racing. There were just a few blacks attending races then, Scott was quoted as saying. Most of the time me and a friend were the only two blacks in the stands. Hed often ask me if Id have the nerve to get out there and run. Id tell him, shucks, yes, I could do it. Scott started racing at the Danville Fairgrounds Speedway. He won 120 races in lower divisions and in 1959, won state championships in his classes. In 1961, he was able to pull together enough money to field a car on NASCARs top-level Grand National circuit, later renamed the Winston Cup series. Enduring persistent, sometimes brutal, discrimination, Scott raced in nearly 500 races in NASCARs top division from 1961 through the early 1970s. Racing on a shoestring, he finished in the top ten 147 times. On December 1, 1963, he won his only major race, a 100-mile event on a half-mile track in Jacksonville, Florida, but Scott was denied the opportunity to celebrate in Victory Circle. NASCAR officials said a scoring error was responsible for allowing another driver to accept the winners trophy. Scott doubted that explanation. Everybody in the place knew I had won the race, he said years later, but the promoters and NASCAR officials didnt want me out there kissing any beauty queens or accepting any awards. In 1973, he suffered severe injuries in a race at Talladega, Alabama. He raced only a few times afterward. Wendell Scott died in 1990. Reference: American Legacy Magazine Various article authors 519 Barcliff Road Bolingbrook, Ill 60440-9855
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 11:35:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015