Wendell Scott documentary traces past but stirs questions about if and when he'll enter NASCAR Hall of Fame

“Wendell Scott: A Race Story’’ is a documentary that tells the tale of the only African-American to win a NASCAR race in the sport’s history. The 48-minute film attempts to illustrate what Scott went through in his driving career and offers some poignant moments, but as I watched the premiere in Charlotte on Thursday (the documentary will air at 9 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 20 on ESPN), it was hard not to think about the future.

One thing that struck me is the issue of where does Scott belong when one discusses the NASCAR Hall of Fame?

For those who say you go by the numbers for any Hall of Fame candidate, well, Scott’s numbers are not impressive. He had one win _ a win in 1963 that was awarded at first to another driver because the track promoter didn’t want a black man kissing the white beauty queen in Victory Lane. That one win came in 495 starts. He did finish in the top 10 in points four consecutive years with a best of sixth in 1966.

Then you have to examine when the Danville, Virginia, native raced (1961-73). It was the heart of civil unrest. He endured more than most can imagine. I talked to one of his sons, Frank, after the movie and he mentioned how they would have to plot their trips to the races because they knew there were certain areas along the way they could not stop for gas because they would not be served. And Frank said staying at a motel was not an option. They also couldn’t go in many restaurants. That was every trip.

“He still would keep coming (to the races),’’ Frank Scott said. “He would get death threats. “If you come to the race, you’re going to leave in a pine box.’ He said, “I’m going. That’s what I’ve got to do.’

“I could tell you some stories.’’

The movie shows a few instances and there’s even the utterance of the N-word in a scene played out at a track when a group of white men see one of Scott’s sons walk out of a whites-only restroom and harass him. Certainly the stories Frank could tell would be much worse.

Should going through such experiences make Scott an automatic Hall of Famer? He’s referred to as the sport’s Jackie Robinson, but because he was an independent and often in inferior equipment  (a point the movie notes) the goal had to be top 10 finishes more often then wins. If he finished too far back, he didn’t make any money, which he needed to take care of his family.

“You can’t dismiss the obstacles,’’ Frank Scott said of his father.

“If you compare what he did with what his resources were, he was phenomenal. It was unbelievable.’’

Thing is – full disclosure: I’m a NASCAR Hall of Fame voter – Scott has never been on the ballot. There is a nominating committee (I’m not on it) that selects 25 individuals to be considered for induction. Scott has never been on the list either year.

“I didn’t expect him to go in the first class,’’ Frank said. “I’m realistic to that. But his name should have been on the top 25. How could his name not be in the top 25? That really hurt us. That really hurt my family.

“I could be wrong, I’m not saying I’m right, but I almost see another Jacksonville, afraid to give him a trophy because of the consequences of the powers to be (in relation to Hall of Fame consideration for Wendell Scott). For him not to be in the top 25, somebody didn’t want to make somebody mad and you can surmise whatever you want.’’

Frank does go on to say he’s not angry but the disappointment is evident at the “oversight on somebody’s part'' when it comes to a Hall of Fame nomination. Yet when Scott does get into the Hall of Fame, one question out there could be if what he had to overcome to race will overshadow the type of driver he was.

“He would want to be voted in on his merits,’’ Frank said of Hall of Fame consideration for his father. “He wasn’t the person that would want anybody to give him anything. He just wanted the opportunity to earn it. I think he earned it.’’

There are a lot of individuals who played key roles in the sport from those already in the Hall of Fame (Bill France Sr., Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt, among others) to many yet to be inducted who played key roles (Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly, Darrell Waltrip, among many others).

So where does Wendell Scott fit in? What do you say?

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