Black Man in White World

By Gary Norris Gray BASN Staff Reporter
Updated: May 24, 2011

Wendell Scott

Wendell Scott

OAKLAND, CA—In 1947 Wendell Scott was awarded fifty dollars in his very first race for placing third driving a borrowed car from a friend. He was hook forever. This was only the beginning of a long hard journey for Mr. Scott. He endured many challenges such as racism, sabotage and drivers who drove carelessly on the track. History records that Wendell Scott was the first Black stock car driver in America. Everyone recognized number 34 his blue and white Chevy. Many drivers stated that Scott was the best driver that they had ever seen. If he had acquired the proper equipment he would have won many more races.

Mr. Scott was born in Danville, Virginia in 1921. He was a quiet man that just knew how to fix cars. His father left the family early in his life so he never had the privilege of male bonding with his dad. This is something most young Black males seek.

At fourteen his mother allowed him to drive the family car. He drove her to church and to the store every weekend. The driving age was eighteen therefore driving underage. He loved it. Wendells I.Q. was very high and this was to be an advantage later in his life.

Mr. Scott became well known as the best moonshine runner in the Danville, Virginia. The Danville police Department relates the story of the day when they tried to catch him on in Fall Creek Run Road. They stated that the police cars had him block on this narrow road. Wendell just threw his car in reverse and drove past both police cars. Driving backward right into his garage. He quickly removed the engine from his car and hung it on a hook before the police arrived. Scott was working on the engine when the police arrived. They arrested him and took him to court. The judge asked both police offices, “How can a man outrun you and then be in the garage working on the engine of the car that you were chasing”? Both officers looked at each other and just shrugged their shoulders. The judge released Scott citing that he could not have taken the motor out of the car that fast.

The new police two-way radio ended Mr. Scotts moon shinning days. He could not out run that.

Wendell finally settled down with two jobs. He worked as a car mechanic and a taxi driver.

Just like any other young American, Scott served in the armed forces in World War Two. He drove many jeeps for the famous General Patton. He stated that he had never seen anybody that drove like Scott. General Patton wanted Scott to remain in the Army and his unit but Scott went home to marry his best friend Mary. They had been dating before he left to serve in the armed forces in Europe and the fight for world freedom.

During his racing career his family became his pit crew. These young men and women knew more about cars than most children their age. That was the only way that Scott could race. No one wanted to be on his crew because he was an African American. Another factor was that Scott could not afford to hire a pit crew so his family took all the responsibilities of a stock car racing pit crew.

Scott won 128 Amateur races and was always in the top 100 in every race. He was always in the top ten 25 times in spite of the fact that he was using inferior equipment and run down cars.

On December 1 1963 at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Fla. Scott beat Buck Baker. On this day Scott became the first African American to win a professional NASCAR race. This record still stands today.

When Scott was near the age of 50, he suffered his worst accident ever on the Talladega Super Speedway track. This crash ended his 20-year racing career. Another car ran over his car almost killing him. He suffered broken legs and arms but still wanted to race. His family convinced him to put the steering wheel down. This was and is the spirit of a champion. He overcame the fact that in one race that he clearly won the flagman did not drop the checkered flag a symbol of victory. The flag fell only after racecar champion Buck Baker crossed the finish line. Mr. Scott knew he had won the race and NASCAR officials finally admitted a month later that indeed he was the winner. This happened one month after everybody had gone home and forgotten about the race. This happened to Mr. Scott many times but Wendell just wanted to race and did not care about where he placed when the race was over.

Most African American would like to see another Black driver like the Hall of Famer Wendell Scott take the checker flag.

In 1991 this humble African American race car driver was nominated and initiated into the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame.

Why not rent the movie “Greased Lighting,” starting Richard Pryor as Wendell Scott it is exciting, funny, and educational. A 1977 American Biographical movie with Beau Bridges, Cleavon Little, and Pam Grier


Copyrighted 2011@ Gary Norris Gray- Gray Leopard Prod.