1957

March 24th

The 1957 season started on March 24th. Fireball Roberts gained the pole for 110 lap race. But it would be a battle between Buck Baker, Marvin Panch, and Speedy Thompson that would prevail most of the day. Buck Baker would wrestle the lead away from Marvin Panch with 18 laps to go and drive away for the win.

March 31st

Just a week later the convertible division would visit Orange Speedway. It would be a battle between Curtis Turner and Joe Weatherly. But on lap 95 Curtis had to drop out with differential problems. That handed the race to Joe Weatherly as he took the checkered flag. Joe won $500 for his effort.

1956——1958

Wendell Scott

Wendell Scott was born on August 29, 1921. His home was in Danville, VA. Wendell started his racing career in 1952 when he broke the color barrier in southern stock car racing at Danville Fairgrounds Speedway in Virginia. He would make his Grand National debut in 1961 at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds. He got his first win in Jacksonville, FL on December 1, 1963. It would be his only win in the Grand National division. Wendell in his career had also gained 147 Top Tens and one pole to his credit. He finished with no wins at Occoneechee/Orange Speedway but was a prominent racer at the .9 mile dirt oval. Wendell lost his life on December 23, 1990. He is still the only African-American to win a top level Nascar event.

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