Wendell Scott was the first African-American driver to win a Grand National race, taking the checkered flag at Jacksonville in 1963. Racing on a shoestring budget with his own underfunded team through the 1960s and early 1970s, he faced constant discrimination yet earned the respect of competitors with his determination and mechanical skill.
Scott died of cancer in Danville in 1990 at 69. Decades later, NASCAR fully embraced his legacy: he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, and his story inspired generations of drivers who followed.
At a Glance
- Born: August 29, 1921, Danville, Virginia
- Died: December 23, 1990, Danville, Virginia
- Age: 69
- Cause of death: Cancer
Final Resting Place
Cunningham Cemetery, Danville, Virginia.
Photo: Barb Watkins via Find a Grave
From the Book
This profile is adapted from Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends by Howard Wear.
Portrait: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Grave photo: Photo: Barb Watkins via Find a Grave.