Written by: Ray Lamar Inspired by: Artist Bill Rembert
Wendall Scott was a true champion even before he put his foot on the brake pedal or the clutch of the old sixties model muscle cars to race. Scott had his mind made up that he was passionate, talented, and deserved a chance at being a household name in Nasar history. During the era in which he drove his racecar he was one of the best drivers, and this wasn’t always evidenced in the position he crossed the finish line, but in all the adversities he had to deal with just to get there. Wendall Scott had to miss several races per year because of the racist environment in Nascar.
Despite the racist culture in Nascar at the time, Wendall Scott was able to rack up on wins, points, and placed in the top ten on multiple occasions in the best league in America. Scott was forced to race with equipment that did not match up to his opponents, in the races that they picked for him to race in. However, against all odds that he inherited Scott found a way to have tremendous success.
The Year was 1963 in Jacksonville Florida, Wendall Scott won a half mile race on a dirt track at Speedway Park. This race would make Scott the first African American to win a grand national Event. During this Grand National event Scott was not announced the winner at first. With 25 laps remaining in the race Scott passed Richard Petty and he would finish in fist place. Buck Baker was announced the winner as the officials said that they made a “Scoring error”. The public and media regarded it as Blatant racism Toward Scott. The Atlantic interviewed the children of Wendall Scott and they stated in so many words that Nascar didn’t want an African American kissing the Caucasian beauty queen that the winner traditionally kissed. His Family wouldn’t receive the trophy until 2010, 20 years after Wendall Scott passed. Scott lives in African American history as a Professional Athlete that was undenied, despite all the obstacles and oppositions he had to endure.
Editor’s Note: This article first published on February 9, 2020.