HAMPTON, Ga. -- Forty-nine years ago Friday, Wendell Scott became the third black driver to race in NASCAR's top touring division, then known as the Grand National division and now known as the Sprint Cup Series.

In honor of this and in anticipation of next year's 50th anniversary of Scott's historic first start in Spartanburg, S.C., NASCAR created an original decal that was placed on all trucks in Saturday's E-Z-GO 200 Camping World Truck Series race and on all cars participating in Sunday's Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“

I can only look at the drivers and think about how my dad would be their greatest fan. And he would want other people to jump on board and be supportive.

”

-- SYBIL SCOTT

"Wendell Scott's legacy is an important one in the history of this sport. His career is an important part of the fabric of NASCAR. I think it's both appropriate and important for NASCAR to continue to honor that legacy," said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR's managing director of public affairs.

Scott remains the only black to win a race in NASCAR's top national touring series, doing so on Dec. 1, 1963, on a 1-mile dirt track in Jacksonville, Fla. He made 495 starts during his career and posted 147 top-10 finishes before retiring in 1973. Scott died in 1990.

Among those in attendance for the unveiling of the special decal honoring Scott prior to Saturday's Truck Series race at AMS was his daughter, Sybil Scott. She spoke glowingly of his memory, and of NASCAR's efforts to honor the father who once had to battle prejudice just to get his car on the track.

Sybil Scott and Jadotte agreed that a large part of Scott's considerable legacy has been carved out in NASCAR's ongoing Drive for Diversity program. Several drivers who participate in the program were in attendance Saturday, but Jadotte pointed out that the program's platform also includes efforts that are focused on educating college-age students about NASCAR and opportunities in the sport, including the possibility of internship positions within the industry. (Continued)