Wendell Scott Nominated For NASCAR Hall of Fame
Ok, so what if NASCAR isn’t the lead story at TSF 364 days of the year. However, when it involves the accomplishments of one of our own we must recognize.
Wendell Scott has been nominated for induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, becoming the first African-American to receive a nomination. Scott entered the NASCAR circuit in 1961 after breaking the color barrier in the stock car circuit in 1951. Surviving in a sport that was just as a part of the South as the Confederate flag and segregation, Scott remained in qualifying races despite racism and lack of sponsorship. In 1963, Scott became the first Black man to win a NASCAR race at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida.
‘Greased Lightning’ starring Richard Pryor was a biography on the life of Scott who opened the door for other Black drivers who entered the NASCAR circuit such as: Elias Bowie, Charlie Scott, George Wiltshire, Randy Bethea, Willy Tibbs and most recently Bill Lester.
Returning home after serving in the segregated Army in Europe during World War II, Scott opened up an auto shop. Legend has it that Scott honed his driving skills while fleeing the police as he ran moonshine late at night.
Scott found out that his road to the Hall of Fame wasn’t as fast or easy, but one worth traveling.
As a kid (in the South), I was a casual fan of NASCAR (one of my go-to toys was a Petty die-cast car). I suppose as I got older and dug through history, I eased out of it (for the most part). All this time, I figured Scott was already a HOFer…:/
I watched the doc on Scott in February. Messed up NASCAR only recently gave Scott’s family his trophy for winning that day so long ago. If he ever had the same equipment, he would have won a lot more but he got everything out of that old 34.
Drivers at the time gave him parts they no longer needed and he would use them literally until the wheels fell off (Ned Jarrett and Earl Brooks helped more than any one else).
I hope the bitterness has left one of his sons in particular but I understand how he feels considering the talent and class his Pop possessed. He’s nominated for HOF induction but is already enshrined in International Motorsport HOF.
Saw the doc as well, real enlightening. Everything is way late coming but definitely well deserved.