And Wendell did receive major racially motivated pushback when he tried to race at some tracks. A few tried to either ban him or only let him enter if a white person drove his car. One even credited him with second when he actually won.
However, he refused to let that stop him and he raced anyway. He gained respect from his fellow drivers and proved to be be consistently competitive.
However, Scott never blamed white people as a whole for the difficulties he encountered. He wanted to be seen as just another driver and overcome the odds, and he got that wish. Now he's almost universally respected as a pioneer in the sport.
I wish we could go back to the days when people wanted to prove themselves through their skills rather than marinate in victimhood.
There's also an extended feature on him produced as part of a documentary series called Golden Era of NASCAR. It features appearances from other legends like reporter Chris Economaki and driver/car owner Junior Johnson:
NASCAR Hall of Famer racing legend Wendell Scott would like a word with your mixed-race ass.
Scott was a stock car racer back when real men raced those cars.
And Wendell did receive major racially motivated pushback when he tried to race at some tracks. A few tried to either ban him or only let him enter if a white person drove his car. One even credited him with second when he actually won.
However, he refused to let that stop him and he raced anyway. He gained respect from his fellow drivers and proved to be be consistently competitive.
However, Scott never blamed white people as a whole for the difficulties he encountered. He wanted to be seen as just another driver and overcome the odds, and he got that wish. Now he's almost universally respected as a pioneer in the sport.
I wish we could go back to the days when people wanted to prove themselves through their skills rather than marinate in victimhood.
I remember Richard Pryor played him in a movie. I need to rewatch it but I would also like to see a documentary
I found this bit on him from an interesting old digest show that used to air on TNN called Inside NASCAR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s233RKZR9I
There's also an extended feature on him produced as part of a documentary series called Golden Era of NASCAR. It features appearances from other legends like reporter Chris Economaki and driver/car owner Junior Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAHF0B6yGnw
Thanks!!!
In the end Scott was seen as just another one of the good 'ol boys who wanted to race and was competitive for a long time on a shoestring budget.