[Bob Tanner]

This is a carryover from the NASCAR Trivia Forum. I'm taking the liberty of posting a reply here because I think the story is interesting and reflects a tale that anyone who doesn't frequent the Trivia Forum might miss but will find interesting.

The following are the posts leading to my input:
Originally Posted by Lefty Noob
Okay, Duckie, you've got me (and others, I'm sure) curious - what's the controversial story of Wendell Scott's win?

Posted by Quality88
RD and Bob will probably correct me here Lefty... but I believe it was mainly because he was black, and at the time the culture of the south if you get where I'm goin here. It was eventually corrected a few days later. Like I said though, RD and Bob(especially Bob) will probably correct me and set the story straight.

The following is from the December 3rd Jacksonville [FL] Union:

Wendell Scott Surprise Winner in Jacksonville 100

JACKSONVILLE, (Dec 3, 1963) -- Wendell Scott of Danville, Virgina was declared the winner of the 100-mile Grand national Race at Jacksonville Speedway Park. It was the first Grand National win for the 42-year-old negro driver.
Buck Baker was flagged the winner and Jack Smith was originally hailed as runner-up. Scott jumped out of his 1962 Chevrolet and insisted he had won. "I knew I had won that race," claimed Scott. "I had lapped Buck three times."
Protests and counter protests were filed as NASCAR officials deliberated for four hours. Finally the announcement came. Scott had won the race -- actually completing 202 laps in a scheduled 200 lap event. "The lengthily delay in posting the official results was caused by a scorer missing two of Scott's laps," said NASCAR's Johnny Bruner, Sr.
When the score cards were straightened out, Scott was given credit for taking the lead in the 176th lap from Richard Petty. Baker got paid for second and Smith third. Ed Livingstone came in fourth while Petty fell to fifth as engine problems slowed him in the late stages.
Nearly all the 5,000 spectators had left the track when Scott was officially given the nod. "Someone took off with my trophy," said Scott. "I wish I had gotten the trophy for winning the race."
Five cautions for 24 laps slowed Scott's average speed to 58.252 mph. Larry Thomas was the author the the days most spectacular wreck -- a solo job which saw him tumble his Dodge into a protective screen above the guard rail.
Ned Jarrett finished seventh and took the lead in the standings.
Maurice Petty crashed in qualifying and did not compete in the 200 lapper.

End of article

Note: I remember reading somewhere, but I don't remember where, that Wendall never did get back or receive a trophy for winning that race.





__

[PettyBlue]

Bob,Buck Baker got the trophy.Wendell got a trophy,piece of wood a month later.Read this link to learn more if you like. Wendell Scott He was not the first black to race in cup but was the first a only black to win.

[simple simon]

i remember this exact story from the Wendell Scott movie with Pryor .... how accurate was that movie ?

[Lefty Noob]

That's for the info, Bob. Shame he was rooked so bad, but at least NASCAR eventually did the right thing and gave him the win.

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Bob,Buck Baker got the trophy.Wendell got a trophy,piece of wood a month later.Read this link to learn more if you like. Wendell Scott He was not the first black to race in cup but was the first a only black to win.

Good Read PB, Thanks.