Wendell Scott (middle) via Motorsports Images and Archives at nascarmedia.com.

I know this is just a press release and that I usually just put the press releases on the NASCAR Related Press Releases section of the site and not on the Front Page, but I think this is a significant event. 

I wasn't born yet when Wendell made his first start, but I wish I was able to see it.  There is a movie about Wendell staring Richard Pryer called 'Greased Lightning' that I think is good.  If you want to find out a little bit more about Wendell I suggest you rent the movie.  I know it is a Hollywood version of Wendell and what he went through, but I think it is a more accurate stock car movie than 'Days of Thunder'.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 3, 2010)– In honor of the anniversary of African-American racing trailblazer Wendell Scott making his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, vehicles competing this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway will have a commemorative decal baring the image of Scott.

Scott made his first start in NASCAR’s premier series on March 4, 1961 at Spartanburg, S.C. On Dec. 1, 1963 in Jacksonville, Fla., Scott became the first African-American to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup event, a distinction he still holds.

To further recognize the occasion this weekend at AMS, Sybil Scott, daughter of the late Scott, will be in attendance as will NASCAR Drive for Diversity competitor Jason Romero.

Romero was last season’s winner of the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award, given annually to a female or minority driver in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series who personifies excellence on and off the race track.