Wendell Scott
One of Danville’s most famous native sons has a face that is recognizable not only among scholars of black history, but also among longtime NASCAR fans. That’s because Wendell Scott is known as the man who broke the color barrier in stock car racing - and he did so in 1963 when he became the first (and still the only) black driver to win a race in what is now the Sprint Cup Series. Narrated by his son Franklin Scott, who serves as principal at a North Carolina middle school, this story looks at the highlights of Wendell Scott’s racing career. Facing racial prejudice among not only some of the NASCAR fans, but also fellow drivers and NASCAR officials, Scott eventually won most of his critics over with his mild manners, his eagerness to help others, and his leave-‘em-in-the-dust racing skills.
Wendell Oliver Scott: August 29, 1921 – December 23, 1990
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