Racing Against the Odds: The Story of Wendell Scott, Stock Car Racing's African-American Champion

by Carole Boston Weatherford, Eric Velasquez (Illustrator)

Overview

Wendell O. Scott made history as the only black driver to win a race in a NASCAR Grand National (now Spring Cup) division. Born in Danville, Virginia, he scrimped and saved to buy his first car, a Model T, at age fourteen. Although he “loved to turn the wheel of a racecar, work magic on an engine, and then push it faster than it was ever meant to go,” he never had the resources or sponsorship to buy a brand-new racecar. Using secondhand Fords that he fixed up in his garage, he competed in five hundred races in NASCAR’s top division.

Eric Velasquez’s illustrations and Carole Boston Weatherford’s rhythmic text illuminate the story of a man who worked full-time while racing on the side. A man who married, raised six children, and educated all of them. A man who “didn’t just dust the competition, he blazed a trail.” A man who raced against all odds.

An author’s note is also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781477810934
Publisher:	Amazon Publishing
Publication date:	01/09/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	711,692
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Author Carol Boston Weatherford lives in High Point, North Carolina.

Editorial Reviews

Wendell Scott's story really inspired me. As I pursue my own NASCAR dream, I hope it helps to encourage every young person to become all that God created them to be. It was Wendell’s determination that paved the path that I am on. He never gave up, and my goal is to follow his example.” —Chase Austin, NASCAR Driver

Thanks to this exciting book, young readers will enjoy a dramatic story that, unfortunately, they’ll probably never hear about in school.” —Brian Donovan, Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and author of Scott’s biography

“If it were not for the courage and conviction of Wendell Scott, I may have never realized my dream of competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He was a true American sports pioneer.” —Bill Lester, NASCAR driver

From the Publisher