Wendell Scott
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- čas přidán 21. 08. 2024
- One of Danvilles most famous native sons has a face that is recognizable not only among scholars of black history, but also among longtime NASCAR fans. Thats because Wendell Scott is known as the man who broke the color barrier in stock car racing - and he did so in 1963 when he became the first (and still the only) black driver to win a race in what is now the Sprint Cup Series. Narrated by his son Franklin Scott, who serves as principal at a North Carolina middle school, this story looks at the highlights of Wendell Scotts racing career. Facing racial prejudice among not only some of the NASCAR fans, but also fellow drivers and NASCAR officials, Scott eventually won most of his critics over with his mild manners, his eagerness to help others, and his leave-em-in-the-dust racing skills.
Nothing but respect to this man he didn’t blame anyone or do any nonsense standoff to get what he wanted he just hunkered down and took care of business like every man should do people nowadays forget that respect is earned and earned by actions not out of pity
That is your take away?
One of the best examples of a man living his dream regardless of the challenges, much respect for such a great man Wendell Scott
I haven't been watching Nascar very much since #24 retired, but learning the history of you, Mr. Scott i would've been honored to have met you.
One the greatest Wendell Scott fan. Started the Wendell Scott Racing Foundation in Atlanta in 1984. Two pictures in the video are from my collection. The shot of his alone at 06 second into the video and the shot of him and the Boys Scouts 3;28 in video. I loved and still Mr. Scott as I called him, he IS a true American Hero. God Bless Him and his wonderful family.
I remember when I was a little boy seeing Wendell at Smokey Mtn. Raceway under a shade tree working on his car. God Bless you Wendell.
Getting to see history at times is amazing
Thank you mr. Scott. Inspiration to us all.
There is a tremendous amount of history not being taught in schools today and hasn't been for quite some time. Great presentation. And it's a shame that we cannot get along in this world. We're only here for a short time.
We agree with you. Thank you for watching and for your comments!
Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen should be required reading before graduating high school in our country.
I can remember in elementary school there was a small section (2 or 3) pages in the history book acknowledging a few accomplished afro-americans. g.w.carver was one .I didn't realized until years later what a true genius he was. he was an einstine of agriculture. his research continues today at Tuskegee u.he would be at a gathering of his peers.drawing sneers from some who were not familiar with who he was.but when he addressed them everyone in the room knew he was the smartest one in the room.he like w. Scott could could take nothing and make something viable .carver would set up a lab by rummaging through trash in the alleys digging out pots and pans etc.
@@legman1476 I don't recall ever being taught anything about NASCAR racing when I was in school. Black or White!!
@@johnlaws8764 read Chad's post. He brings up school, history, etc. Read the book I recommended that exposes what we are being taught as history to be incorrect.
Greatly much respect for Wendall Scott for paving the way 👏
I remember Wendell Scott racing on the dirt tracks in the Shenandoah Valley Of Virginia back in the '50s with my Dad. Scotty, as he was called by his friends, was a real gentleman and a very good race driver that earned the respect of many of the other drivers. I Dad always spoke highly of Wendell Scott.
That was back in the days when racing was truly racing, Dad was the owner and driver of number 180, a red and yellow 1934 Ford 5 window coupe.
Thank you for sharing your memories!
With time like these we need to remind our selfs to be more like Wendell characters like him should be brought back up and reminded
Got to meet you once at Riverside,Wendell !! What a cometetitor he was,among other greats. He stood taller for the black man that any politician,person,or organization ever has !!!
Thanks for sharing your memory.
Wendell Scott was truly a great man and NASCAR driver. I remember seeing him race in my youth. I am glad to see him in the Hall of Fame!!!
You are lucky to have seen him on the track! Thanks for sharing your memory.
Watched him at The Glen, in the rain, this one race he left the track surface sliding sideways coming right towards us broadside, mud n grass flying everywhere. The car stopped about 10' short of us. He revved it up put it in gear and off he went back on the track mud flying everywhere again. He put up one hell of a fight that day. I'll never forget that for as long as I live. He was quite a driver. That was back in 65 for the Can-Am series I believe NASCAR ran at the same time.
Thank you for sharing that exciting memory.
Thank You All So Much For Recognizing and Remembering My Grandfather.
This is a great short clip on Mr.Wendal Scott...
What a special guy he was..
Thanks for sharing..
Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts.
@@visitdanvilleva - Your very welcome..
It was my pleasure..
It’s History Month I’m 23 and loved that I found this story! Man god bless our journey and the people who came before us! ✊🏽🖤
I am fortunate to have known Mr. Scott. He is, and will always be, a hero to me.
Thank you for letting us know. His family is still doing great things in the Danville area. He left a wonderful legacy.
I met him through his sister and brother in law, Martha and J C King, who were teachers here in Maryland. When I was racing in the 80s, Mr. Scott was my one man fan club in Danville and kept up with me through Miss Martha.
What a nice story. Thank you!
He looks white!!
Great man and one of the greatest drivers. He beat the odds..
Congrats on the Hall of Fame and thanks for letting us play around your garage when we where kids.
donpldp you knew the guy?
Here's a man born way to early. If this guy was alive today he would be a champion.
Wendell had balls of steel and this is from a white man. I don't know if it's a true story but I heard that another driver actually pulled a gun on him and told him if he doesn't lose the race , he was going to get shot all because he was black and better than somebody else that was white. Not right at all, if someone is better than you at something, you should respect him and look up to him, and I don't care if his skin is pink with purple polka dots. Wendell busted his balls for his family through tough times and most of all, he didn't get discouraged, he faced the devil in his face and was relentless in coming back for more. He was a true inspiration to anyone who has a dream and won't stop at anything to see it fulfilled. Every time I see the number 34 on the track, I think of nothing but pure persistence and what it takes to make your dream happen. RIP Wendell Scott, you've earned it.
***** Cheers
flashy5150 really 👍
flashy5150...It was the other way around. There was another driver that kept threatening Wendell in the Pits and kept trying to crash him on the track. One night Wendell decided to bring a pistol in the car with him during the Race. The other driver got close to Wendell like he was going to try to take him out, Wendell pointed the pistol at the other driver, the other driver backed off and Wendell never had any more trouble out of him.
Ric Henriquez Yes,that's the story I've always heard!! If he hadn't stood up for his self,he'd never would have made it in racing. Those type of drivers would have walked all over him. It's good to see everyone wasn't like that though!!!
Very well said 👏🏽👍🏾👌🏾
Very good video , Mr. Scott's family can and is proud of him for his talent plus his courage to stand up and do what he loved in a time when the odds were all against his success, makes me proud to be a Virginian!
Thank you for your nice comments. He really was an amazing guy.
What a great man Wendell Scott was, may his legacy live on forever.....
Thank you for listening to the story, Mr. Waters! Have a wonderful holiday season.
@@visitdanvilleva You too :)
Thank you Wendall Scott for being you. God bless
Didn't believe in the words 'Can't' and 'never'. That's a great philosophy.
In Richmond,Va as a young fan, I can tell you he was often talked about and respected by the young people of that era and that interest group. I heard his name as often as that of the big boys because he had respect as a huge underdog.
I don't think Wendell was really a civil rights hero in the classic way, he never protested.. He was a hero by making white drivers and owners fans see how damned hard he worked. I mean he's in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. And a lot of little guy racers see that as their induction, not a civil rights victory. the little guys like Wendell Scott that's the Soul of the sport.To me.
Jake Riethmeier In other words, he didn't talk the talk but he walked the walk.
He may not be a civil rights hero in the traditional sense, but he sure didn't back down. He's a hero to me as a white boy from PA who never got to see him race.
Ghandi said," be the change you wish to see in the world". Scott is a good example.
Walking around beating your chest making noise does not win races. He was above the race card game. Content of character can be seen in hard work and dedication quicker than someone's melatonin level.
He is a hero to all of us who love the power sports. I love the underdog who wins with ingenuity and a good team. Burt Monroe was a shinning example also.
I love the smell of race gas in the morning. Be good
I had the HONOR of having Willy T. Ribbs drive me on a couple hot laps around the Long Beach Grand Prix course in a pace car around 1985 or '86. What a ride!
I remember Wendell Scott racing on the dirt at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, SC. I was a kid and we climbed up in a tree in the fourth turn to watch cause we couldn't afford a ticket. we would be covered in red dust from the track when the race ended. this video brought back many memories of that time in racing history.
Thank you for sharing that memory!
I wish I could have met him. His story is truly inspirational.
Today's youth sure could learn a lot from Mr. Scott
We agree! Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season.
I was watching Greased Lightning last night, what an inspirational story. It shows two things, you should not ignore your inner self and it showed that determination can put your dreams in your hands.
W.Scott was a Giant man who did not let anything or anyone get in his way of racing with the top drivers in the country. And he WON race's despite all the hurdles that he had to overcome. I do know there was a race he won and he had to wait get his trophy in the purse money because of the skin color. I hope our country is come a lot further than this, it's not the color of his skin it's a talent behind the wheel!
Thanks, and we agree!
One of the great independents! 13 years racing,no major backing,495 races run,average finish of 15th,in the top ten in points from 1966 to 1969.Not bad for a guy who was 40 when he started racing!
Thank you for listening and for sharing your insights!
Congratulations Wendell! Very proud of your accomplishments.
You have loved to sit down with Wendell and just talk racing! Sounds like a great man.
His legacy lives in his lovely family - dedicated to education in the Southern Piedmont.
It is a great and important story. Glad others are enjoying it as told by one of his sons.
very nice. Never knew. I just saw an animated pbs short on Mr Wendel Scott March 2016. Done very well. Thanks!
ps. I'm not a Nascar fan, but it is a great story told by his son.
Inspirational man - thanks for sharing
Among my Racing Champions Legends collection of die-cast cars, I have Wendell Scott's red Torino, NIB. Last appraised, it was the most valuable one in my collection!
That is very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Really?
Very nice.
There is no greater tribute than a son calling his father a great man
My favorite driver of all time
Im from Danville va and i rember passing by his shop and seeing his truck and cars out front when i was a kid
I agree He was also a great person.I knew him and jr.
Just learned about this man from the TV show Timeless. Great Story.
Thanks for listening!
Wendell Scot. A true hero
Hats off to that man,would make a good movie!
I knew Mr. Scott as a child....
He used to come visit my Grandfather's auto shop in portsmouth virginia..
They race together In the 1950's.
The grandfather's business partner was an african american man by the name of Mr. James Trusty.
Together with the Trusty family, They helped get Mr. Wendell, as I knew him, the racing parts he needed.
Oftentimes, when no one else would sell to him..
;)
My grandfather was from the southwestern Virginia and he always said everyone is equal If they're willing to work for a living And the mountain folks needed to stick together.
My grandfather was Robert M. Jennings" Bob" ....
The original number 3 car. Nascar member 1950- 58.
He was a joe weatherly points champion but never recognized in any history books that nascar keeps.
Thank you for sharing that story!
One Great man never gave up on his dreams
Proud he lived in my Hometown.
I watched "Wendell Scott: A Race Story" on ESPN and saw "Greased Lighting" back in 1977 when it first came out. A lot adversities and racism that Wendell had to face back in the day.
Makes me wonder if Wendell would have achieved success on the same level of someone like Ricky Gadson if given the same level of opportunities. Looking back on Wendell's career I would have to call his career successful, everything considered.
Hard to know for sure, but Wendell certainly broke down some barriers for other racers!
@pR1mal Very successful in my mind. Unbreakable spirit. Performing great feats with 1.1 millionth of the budget running the same races as FACTORY teams race after race. That's success. Plus a thosand other attributes in his favor. Amazing story. I may not have much money but I consider myself very successful. Success shouldn't only be measured in terms of dollars and cents.
Just learned about his existence by watching the new TV series "Timeless". Season 2 episode 2. Thanks for the quick info on him.
Thanks for the comment!
Thanks for sharing this and since today is August 29, Happy Birthday Wendell Oliver Scott
i think so , he should be the hall of fame , my vote is in too, his family be proud of him
This was a true race car driver.
Thank you
I appreciate You're Efforts
Courage to be great and go against the grain
Lol I love how they were recruiting guys with speeding tickets.
Ines hi I love these old story’s 13 speeding ticket,s get you 12 month driving ban here. Hello from anglesey north wales 🏴🏴🏴🏴
Lol welcome to NASCAR
It's a great story about Wendell Scott
I'll come to understand that Wendell Scott he was a real driver that's what I couldn't understand it was truly a family oriented man I really a family oriented man it is instilled it into his children . I respect all black race car drivers past and present . When I see the movie White Lightning , Richard Pryor was playing Wendell Scott was great I liked movie🤣😂🤣😂
Glad he finally got the recognition he deserved for his talent and all his hard work some people never get it the bad thing about racing if they don't want you to win they will keep raising the anty with money or constantly change the rules especially in the lower divisions with ten cent million Aire promoters and track owners racing is pretty dirty unless you are at a national level where there are a lot of eyes watching we might have been created equal but we DAMN sure ain't been treated equal ......
If God has a plan for you to change the world-no one on earth can stop you-just don’t forget the light shining down on you that guides you and keeps you moving forward-Greased Lightning taught me to learn about this gifted man..one the best American stories ever
I was very glad to see this video posted although I'm disappointed at the lack of views considering how many NASCAR and racing fans there are out there.
Growing up in Central Illinois during the 70s, we did not discuss race issues in our house. While my Mother and Father both worked outside the home, I was often babysat by a black woman down the street named Mrs. Moore and grew up good friends with her three sons.
That was also about the time when Greased Lightning came out. "Family time" for us was spent at a little local dirt track named Macon Speedway every Saturday night so when the movie came out, I was hooked.
As a kid, I never got it. Being babysat by Mrs. Moore I never really thought about differences, most of my friends were black. So I never understood the racial aspect of the movie back then.
Nowadays, I still don't think of it. I loved the movie then and I do now. I always love reading or hearing things about Wendell Scott. To me, as a kid.. and now as an adult, now understanding, in many ways he's been a lifetime hero.
Watching Cars 3 at the theater with my son, I spotted the River Scott reference immediately and it made me smile. They took the time to pay tribute to a great man and driver.
Thank you for adding your personal reflections on this video and on the experience of the Scott family during Wendell's racing years. Glad you noticed the Cars 3 reference and were able to enjoy that movie with your own children as you enjoyed Greased Lightning as a young man. It is only through these shared stories that we can experience empathy. This video series was designed for Southern Virginia stories to be told and discussed from multiple points of view, so thank you for doing that :-)
@hironimus 1971 Check it out on youthe. There are at least two fairly comprehensive documentaries on Wendell "Give'em Hell" Scott and his family and crew, white and black.
Loved this man. Still do.
Thanks for posting it so nice to learn of people who become heroes for kids and for
people to look up to. People like this are the ones that help make the world
a better place for all to live and put hope in the eyes of kids growing up
Have to love the part where they went looking for people with speeding
tickets for drivers. sometimes the old days were good Thanks for posting
Thank you for listening and the nice comment. His legacy is alive and well in Danville thanks to his amazing grandson's family.
I plan to and than's agan for posting this
wendell scott was my great uncle
That is wonderful. He was a ground-breaking hero!
Yes he was from what I was told
I got to see him race!!!
That is very cool!
He was a real drivers driver, classy man.
I watched Wendell Scott race many times. I admired him because he was a Black man in a White man's sport and he showed them he was just as good as they were. He met with a lot of racism during his rise, but he kept going. He was as good a car builder as most any in his day. He knew what it took to make a car perform. Although he never reached the 'superstar' platform, he was one hell of a driver. His attitude toward other drivers and other people (mostly White) showed just what kind of person he truly was. Race on Wendell...race on, cause you are still one of the best!!
I used to see Wendell run when NASCAR made their Nothern run in the summer.
This is great news, I am personally very happy to hear this.
Only 1.6K likes out of 213K views???? Hmmm...smh hat's off to Wendell Scott!!!!
🏁🏁
We agree! He was a remarkable man.
Its pretty cool how he race a lot of different Ford's.
Frank Scott was my principal in middle school. I also live about half an hour from Danville, VA.
Mr. Scott was a dedicated and memorable educator. Happy to see that you watched him tell his father's story.
FlickFlag Productions Thank to Frank Scott for Sharing the Story of his Dad Wendell Scott Truly Awesome!!!! :-)
Awsome I live in Danville also mr Wendell Scott's house is literally like 10 mins from my house
Great driver and human being
congrats wendell!!!!!!!!!! got teary eyed when i first heard
Wendell Scott was and still is the man others need to take after him
I like Wendell. I love this story!
Thanks for listening to it!
Wendell Scott was from the era when independent drivers did whatever they had to do to keep racing. They didn't race for fame or money, they raced because they loved it. In a sense, they raced because they had to, anything else wouldn't have made them happy. Too bad racers like him are scarce as hen's teeth, today.
Thank you for your comment!
Wendell was a NO FEAR Bad Ass driver! Not to mention an excellent mechanic and fabricator also. He made his FORDS run hard, with little sponsorship! He should have been inducted in the NASCAR HOF when it first opened in 2010. Better late than never I guess. RIP Wendell.
Thank you for watching the video and listening to the story. We agree with you!
Visit Danville VA: You're welcome! Watching the video and listening to the story was my pleasure. Thank you for posting it.
Ron Howard should do a movie about him, he is the only one who could pull it off without it being cheesy, or Rodger Donaldson who directed Worlds Fastest Indian. Give this man the recognition he deserves as they have at the Nascar Hall of Fame.
I want to be the first black person to win the daytona 500 and a championship
+Darnell Matthew I hope you accomplish your goals, btw I like the stop motion race videos, looks like you put a lot of work into them.
That's a big goal for anyone considering Tony Stewart never won it despite winning 3 championships. I wish you much luck sir.
Darnell Matthew same also nice videos
REALLY GO FOR IT
If you never try you will never fail and if you never fail you will never succeed
hope your dream comes true or you help someone's dream come true
NASCAR needs to buy one of his cars from the family and fully restore it for display at the museum
We will share this comment with his family. Thank you!
Visit Danville VA Thank you!! Mr. Scott was an icon that helped grow the sport. He should be recognized as such.
I'm white,,and I knew,,God bless him,,wish there were more like him,,,,
Thanks for your comment.
That was a real man that got his credit to late I feel
Thank you for listening and for your comment. We agree!
Yes late for some and for others to learn from for at times all we can do is work for a better world for those to come Wendell a true hearo
My Favorite movie is Greased Lighting with Richard Pryor who portrayed Wendell Scott, and to my knowledge is pretty accurate on the man himself. Great flick great story and a great man who defied all odds.
Ya, portrayed him as a bafoon.
Cleavon Little would have done a more respectable job.
Today, they would cast an Asian to play the roll.
Much luv
Great Story!! Love the old photos! Thanks.
Had no clue there was a black NASCAR driver in Jim crow days. We need to learn our history more black America.
+James Stowe thank you for your comment. We agree!
There's a great movie Staring Richard Pryer, about this man. Look for it. I don't remember the name. But it maybe called Greased lighting. Good movie.
theres a real good movie about him
@@snowman374th it was a decent movie but it didn't show the greatness of the man the drive and determination of one of the greatest NASCAR drivers of all time. If he had had the equipment equivalent to say a Petty a Cale Yarborough a David Person everybody would know who he was Nascar fan or not. He fought against unbeatable odds but yet still prevealed GOD BLESS WENDELL SCOTT...!!!!!!!
Take it or leave it. Your choice, chief. I was leading people to it regardless of opinion. Much Respect to Mr Scott.
Snowman.
thanks! We love the story and were glad Story Corps did a version.
Coming back from VIR go-kart race in the 60,s , saw his truck and race car broke down south of Danville. In NC. No one was there, guess he went back home to get parts for his truck.
Thank you for your comment. It is so nice to have a format where folks can share memories!
awesome video big thumbs up to wendell scott
Thank you. Wendell's son, Frank Scott, is a great story teller and educator!
Pioneers come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
Nurse friend of mine in Danville , Va needed her engine rebuilt in her Pontiac in the mid 1980's. SHe went by His shop and he did the job for her.
Thank you for sharing that sweet story. There are so many good people in the world that aren't recognized until long after they are gone.
Met Wendell Scott wonderful kind person
Piece of history I didn't know about. Thank you sincerely 👍
Lived on Riverside Drive less than a hundred yards from the "Wreck of the Old '97" in 1963 as a second grader at Bellevue. Never heard of this man. He had thirteen speeding tickets though.
That is awesome! Noticed the #34 car in Cars 3.
Thanks for listening and noticing!
Mr. Scott was the Real Deal, no doubt.
We agree!
He Was a Kickass Black Driver.