A racing pioneer was remembered Saturday at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Wendell Scott, a Danville native, was the first black man to win a race in the Grand National/Winston Cup series, the equivalent of today’s Sprint Cup series. On Saturday, “Wendell Scott Recognition Day” was observed at the VMNH.
Event sponsor Alexir Hairston, an artist and long-time friend of the family, organized the event to promote awareness of the late racecar driver’s achievements, and heralded the event as “more than a success.”
“I was very happy with the way it turned out,” said Michael Scott, the youngest son of the late Wendell Scott. “A lot of people came out and showed support. It turned out to be very nice.”
More than 50 people attended the event, including Brian Donovan, author of Scott’s biography, “Driving Hard: The Wendell Scott Story: The American Odyssey of NASCAR’s First Black Driver.” NASCAR historian Buzz McKim, state Sen. Roscoe Reynolds, Martinsville Vice Mayor Kimble Reynolds Jr., Tony Millner, president of the local NAACP chapter, and fans and friends of the late pioneer also attended.
The event offered a wealth of information, including first-hand stories about the driver, a video which included statements from NASCAR legends such as Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett, and displays with newspaper articles, pictures and other racing memorabilia.
“I thought the event went quite well. I was impressed by the number of people who were in attendance, and also very impressed by the way in which the legacy of Wendell Scott was captured,” said Vice Mayor Reynolds. “Not only did it focus on the fact that he broke the color barrier for the sport of racing, but it also highlighted all the attributes that made him an incredible person and which have really enhanced his legacy.”
Dick Thompson, retired vice president of corporate communications with the Martinsville Speedway, was unable to make it to the event, but he shared a few fond memories of the pioneer.
According to Thompson, during a race at Martinsville Speedway, Scott’s volunteer pit crew took a trip to the concession stand when the #34 Ford needed to make a stop. Undaunted, Scott hopped out of the car, filled his own gas tank and sped back onto the track.
“Wendell was something else,” said Thompson. “Wendell did more with less than anybody I’ve ever seen.
“I’m glad to see them honoring him, and I think he should definitely be in the Hall of Fame,” added Thompson. “It was a rough deal, and he did everything basically by himself.”
Donovan read the prologue of his book and explained that Scott’s biography is “a story of one of the courageous racial pioneers that helped make our country a better place in a time when that could be very dangerous.”
McKim said information about Scott will be a part of two permanent displays in the Charlotte, N.C., NASCAR Hall of Fame, which is currently under construction. One of those will include a “biographical paddle,” while another will be dedicated to the diversity of NASCAR’s drivers. There will also be a larger display dedicated soley to Scott in the hall of fame when enough articles of his racing career can be located, McKim said.
“I think today was a big step in the right direction,” said Donovan of his hope that Scott will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “We got a commitment today explicitly from Buzz McKim of the NASCAR Hall of Fame that there will be an exhibit featuring Wendell Scott. I think he’s a logical candidate for nomination, and I hope he (McKim) does, too.”
Hairston shared a similar opinion of the day’s event, and added that it was “emotional, heartfelt, cheerful” and a “stepping stone,” toward having Scott recognized in the hall permanently.
The event was concluded with a question-and-answer session conducted by Donovan, and attendees were invited to sign a petition to have Scott inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Hairston added that he hopes to make “Wendell Scott Recognition Day” larger and better in years to come.
.jpg)
