Remembering Wendell Scott's Birthday Aug 29, 1921
Stock Car Racing History
Remembering Wendell Oliver Scott (August 29, 1921 December 23, 1990)
updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Forum Activity for @jim-wilmore
Stock Car Racing History
updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Charley Stewart, Black American, WWII Vet and Sprint Car Racer, Breaks the Color Barrier to Race Sprint Cars in 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Dave, that is an amazing story! WOW! It's almost comical seeing AJ in that big oversized sprint car compared to the low, sleek Indy cars...something that can never be duplicated again. Wow!
Charley Stewart, Black American, WWII Vet and Sprint Car Racer, Breaks the Color Barrier to Race Sprint Cars in 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Dave
What I findinteresting is to read the terminology of the day; Big cars, eight event card, staggered reverse races, conventional start, international handicap race, and helmet dash, none of which we would recognize the termin todays racing series.
I've read enough about the famed "Offy" engine that seemed to cast a spell on anyone that heard the sound. A few years back Darlington had a Historical Race Festival and some very rare and expensive old 50's modelIndy cars showed up and ran some laps. I'm pretty sure there were a few Offys' in the group because the sound of those engine was like nothing I've ever heard before...it was music to the ears.
Charley Stewart, Black American, WWII Vet and Sprint Car Racer, Breaks the Color Barrier to Race Sprint Cars in 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Wendell Scott, not the only one to break the color barrier in racing. Charley Stewart of Indianapolis was racing sprint cars at the same time Wendell was racing in the Sportsman division (1949-1953). This article from the Illustrated Speedway News paper, June 30, 1953has this clip of Charley Stewart "The Tan Torpedo". A lessor known race car driver but, none the less significant, Charley Stewart must have been a pioneer in auto racing. A respected WWII Veteran that served in the China/Burma/India (CBI) theatre of war, and much like the White Veterans' that returned from "The War", Charley found therapy and an outlet in racing. What another interesting part of racing history this could've been. I'm not to sure there's not much else known or written about Charley. I wonder where the story went from this 1953 news clipping? 
updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Current NASCAR
I enjoyed that race. The cars were somuch faster than the old asphalt track, it must be tiring to go 500 laps. Matt driving a Yota though...just saying, wish it were a Ford. Even JR. led some laps!
Racers are the best at innovations
Stock Car Racing History
Whatever it takes to WIN!!!
The greatest thing about local short track racing isn't the tracks, aren't the drivers, not even the make or model of car or what engine is in it. What makeslocal short track racing so great is tennis balls stuffed in springs,heating a front axle and jacking it up while chained to a trailer to get caster and camber, it's cutting brand new tires for more traction.
Common you guys and gals, there's more than just a one liner comment to be made here...what's your story?
A NASCAR Hall of Fame Kind of Day
General
Sounds like another great day to add to this incredible journey. It was my day off Thursday and if it hadn't been for prior plans I would have come out to hear the stories, I'm a sucker for a good story.
As for a youngster asking if Tim and Dave were famous...the boy needs to meet real people that have made a positive impact in this world. Any chance any of us get we need to stop, take a moment, and talk to our youth before someone else with less positive influence does.
Famous? Perhaps not in terms of flying to the moon, because IMO opinion, unless you've done something extraordinary, there is no fame. Respected and admired? YES! And that is worth a minute to teach the impressionable young child a thing or two about "respect" and "admiration".
