Steve Waid: Wendell Scott’s entry into NASCAR Hall of Fame will come

By Steve Waid

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

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COMMENTARY

Wendell Scott, the only African-American driver to win a race at NASCAR’s highest level, during a time when stock-car racing was very much a regional Southern sport, deserves to be in NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.

And I have no doubt he will be.

But some have taken exception to the fact that Scott was not included among the first 25 nominees for the hall, scheduled to open next May in Charlotte. They say the omission was an affront to a truly unique figure in NASCAR’s history. It has also been published that it is “stirring broader discussion of NASCAR’s past discrimination and what critics say is its continued record as the nation’s least diverse major sport.”

First, let’s consider what a hall of fame is about. Among other things, it’s about individual achievement, innovation, positive image and
leadership.

I think it’s fair to say those traits are inherent in the first nominees: Bobby Allison, Buck Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress,
Dale Earnhardt, Richie Evans, Tim Flock, Bill France Sr. and Jr., Rick Hendrick, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson, Bud Moore, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, David Pearson, Lee and Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Darrell Waltrip, Joe Weatherly, Glen Wood and Cale Yarborough.

I have no problem with that list nor the fact that Scott is not on it. Yes, it is subjective, but it’s hard to refute the qualities and accomplishments of those who are on it.

But there are other qualities to consider when it comes to the hall of fame – such as perseverance and the ability to achieve despite adversity.

Scott was an African-American who raced during a period of racial discrimination in the South. Perhaps he could have chosen a different profession, but he didn’t want to. He was very good at what he did.

He struggled for recognition in NASCAR. He was bullied on the track by fellow competitors, shunned by some promoters and sometimes harassed by the sanctioning body, especially during inspection.

He raced on a miniscule budget and was often in debt. He certainly was not afforded factory support, and sponsorship was virtually non-existent. He raced on used or borrowed equipment and, believe it or not, was sometimes his own pit crew.

Still, he raced. And many – grudgingly or otherwise – admitted that if Scott had decent equipment he would have been a winner regularly.

In fact, he did win. It happened in 1964 in Jacksonville, Fla. But Scott received no glory and no recognition.

NASCAR originally declared Buck Baker the winner. Scott maintained that he had won and went nose to nose with Baker in a heated discussion.

It was Baker who received all the accolades in victory lane.

Hours later, after the crowd had long since departed, NASCAR announced that Scott was indeed the winner. There had been a scoring error. There was no repeat victory lane ceremony, no congratulations and no apology.

Perhaps no better source of a detailed account of Scott’s life and career can be found than Brian Donovan’s excellent book, “Hard Driving: The American Odyssey of NASCAR’s First Black Driver.”

Donovan sent out an email in which he mentioned a “growing controversy” that has sprung up over NASCAR’s perceived snub of Scott.

It’s been suggested that the inclusion of Scott would have been a good thing for a sport that lags in diversity – which indeed NASCAR does. Believe me, officials know that and that’s perhaps the biggest reason for the existence of its Drive for Diversity. The program has yet to produce a quality minority driver – at least at NASCAR’s highest level – and it may be a while before it does, but it’s working on it.

Racing talent may be natural-born, but it still needs to be cultivated, and that takes time. Even the proper cultivation requires
opportunity if a competitor is to succeed.

The names of some minority drivers currently lurk on the horizon. In time, with the proper cultivation and opportunity, they will be familiar to all of us.

However, Scott’s entrance into the hall of fame shouldn’t be solely a token representation of diversity.

I see it as recognition of ability, perseverance, stubborn dedication and years of survival during a time when many regarded him as a second-class citizen, at best, and wanted him to fail.

I see it as recognition of an African-American driver who did a lot with a little in an otherwise all-white sport that didn’t want him.

That’s why Wendell Scott deserves to be in the NASCAR Hall of Fame – and I think the day will come when that happens.

Hopefully, it will be sooner than later.