Driven

Wendell Scott was the first African American inducted in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, he poured his heart, soul, and all of his earnings into maintaining his own race car. His son, Frank, remembers what it took for his father to cross the finish line at racetracks throughout the South during the Jim Crow era.

Directed by: Julie Zammarchi
Executive Producers: Donna Galeno, Dave Isay, Lizzie Jacobs, & Maya Millett
Producer: Rachel Hartman
Co-Producer: Daniel Sitts
Audio Produced by: Jud Esty-Kendall & John White
Supervising Sound Recordist: John White
Storyboard: Jesse Strauss
Design & Animation: Julie Zammarchi
Animation: Rebecca Raeder & Thomas Crew
Backgrounds: Tammy Kim
Production Intern: Felix Lopez
Original Music: Joshua Abrams
Music Performed by: Joshua Abrams, Hamid Drake, Marquis Hill, Emmett Kelly, & Adam Thornburg
Music Mixed by: Joshua Abrams & Neil Strauch
Special Thanks: Frank Scott & Warrick Scott

In Partnership with
American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress
NPR
POV

Funding Provided by
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Ford Foundation

[TraustiGeir]

"They wouldn't drop the checkered flag."

That is so low, Satan called to ask who was making that noise.

[MarkArandjus]

"When it's too tough for everybody else, it's just right for me" now that's a badass.

[TheMetalDot]

His son was my middle school principal and he always sang his daddy's praises.

[chupacabra]

Though he had a minor role, in the movie Cars 3 a character called River Scott was based off him.

[magnificentfailure]

Wendell is a legend. The true heart of NASCAR

[Araian]

1:24 "He finally got the money..." The thing is, I don't think he wanted money as much as he wanted respect dammit!

[cyberwolf]

I like that quote at 1:38, "When it's too tough for everybody else, it's just right for me."

[adventuresonic]

This needs to become a movie about the life of Wendell Scott! He is an absolute racing legend in nascar!

[Bladespeedy]

"When it is too tough for everyone else, it is just right for me."....Damn....words to live by...

[justinbaskin]

Racers are a special breed of competitor, with a unique set of talent and personalities. Wendell Scott was an early example of a trueblood racer who possessed no other desire than that to compete to win. Other great examples of this character followed, with likes of Niki Lauda, Gilles Villeneuve and Ayrton Senna all born with that same personality and desire to win

[-DaleW]

He gets more respect from me than Dale Earnhardt does. For someone to do that good with no help is a real man and legend.

[caylabailey]

I'm so proud to be a Black American. We are strong, courageous and hard workers. Thanks for the shout outs storycorps.

[Kgirlz]

Beautiful story. These videos are always among the most tear inducing on YouTube!

[KaziKami]

If i ever drive in nascar you can bet
Wendell scott will be my inspiration

[carriekube]

What a lovely tribute to an admirable man.

[MaxWriter]

This is wonderful.  Men like Wendell Scott are an inspiration.

[Poeley]

This takes me back to another Storycrops video about the African American woman who just wanted to vote like everyone else and they refused her over and over again until finally accepting. she said something about it feeling good about being able to do it and getting what she wanted in the end but it never should of been so hard in the first place. and that's how it was for Wendell Scott, he loved racing and would be very proud to be inducted in the HOF but it never should of been so hard for him to race in the first place.

[KristyJean]

I kinda miss the old animation style....

[van_aguilar]

i learned about Wendell when i was a kid learning about racing since i was obsessed, i wanted to see his next race. i was late since he had already passed away for some years then. beautiful story. racing these days still feels a bit racial. having been racing for 16 years you see certain patterns. Rules made to cater so certain drivers to win. you beat them one night and the next night there are rules that hurt your team but benefit others. you mention it out loud or win too much and get sent home. being the only hispanic racer in a see of white is rough. i just do my thing and keep racing. I have a very good team and we adjust to the rules. all the sweeter when we still beat certain teams. Thank you Wendell. thank you for inspiring racers all over the world and across time.

[WorldWendell]

My names Wendell as well. Thats always cool to see the rare name around.