Wendell Scott
Throughout the years many people have taken action towards Black History. Rosa Parks, Malcom X, Martin Luther King. The people listed are normally the common ones discussed throughout school. One African American that made a difference was Wendell Oliver Scott. After a bumpy start to life Wendell Scott found himself as a great driver. Wendell thought he acquired great driving skills throughout the years and wanted to try and push that farther with his life. After being released out of jail due to being arrested with two acquaintances and stealing and selling motor oil, Wendell found himself heading to Danville to watch the stock car races. As he sat there Wendell wanted to race but at the time it was segregated. Nascar was selling less and less tickets as time went by, so to promote tickets Nascar tried finding a black racer who could win the race. They went around towns asking to see if there were any unknown black drivers that were good. The police told them about Wendell who would always somehow get away. May 23, 1952 Wendell Scott became the first black stock car racer in the south. He didn’t win the first race because his car did break down before he could finish. Scott didn’t want to give up there though. He kept trying to find more races that would allow African Americans to drive. Wendell Scott was headed to take on racers in the Jim Crow south. In 1954 Scott became a regular Nascar driver. When Scott went to race at the North Carolina track the promotor of the speedway gave the racers gas money all except Scott due to his skin color. A man named France immediately took cash out of his pocket and handed it to Wendell and said “You’re a NASCAR racer, and as of now you will always be treated as a NASCAR member.” Shortly after others were talking up Wendell like hall of fame Joe Weatherly said “Scott is one of the best drivers he’s ever seen.” Scott raced in Jacksonville Florida in 1963 he took first place but when he crossed the finish line, no one waved the flag. Scott being confused as he drove around again the flag was waved but for someone not him. They were letting him race but did not want hi to be named the winner so he was placed in third. In 1956 Wendell won NASCAR Sportsman championship for Virginia. After he finished in 6th place, Scott was named NASCAR’s highest division in 1961. Scott should have also won Rookie of the year but because they did not want an African American winning it they awarded it to Woodie Wilson. With this taking place NASCAR historian Gene Granger stated that “Scott won hands down.” On December 23, 1990 Wendell Scott passed away from Prostate Cancer. Wendell was inducted in the Motor sports hall of fame in 1999. Wendell Scott was the first full-time driver on the NASCAR circuit.