On Oct. 26, 20-year-old Darrell Wallace Jr. made NASCAR history by becoming only the second African American driver to win a NASCAR series race. Wallace Jr. took the checkered flag Saturday at Martinsville Speedway in the NASCAR truck series and became the second African American driver to win a NASCAR series race in 50 years.
Wendell Scott, who was one of the pioneers of racing, was the first African American driver to win a NASCAR series race in December of 1963 in Jacksonville, Fla. Wallace Jr. drove in the top six spots the entire race, including leading for 96 laps. With five laps to go, Wallace Jr. and fellow drivers were faced with a restart after which Wallace wasted no time pulling away from Jeb Burton to finish out the race and take the checkered flag.
–daminon lewis
