History of NASCAR

NASCAR stands for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing.

Click here for a brief summary of the history.

Spartanburg History and NASCAR

Spartanburg was the hub of NASCAR from the 1950s and 1960s. It is the home of popular drivers and mechanical master minds worked for NASCAR teams like Raymond Arnold, Jr.

Click here to learn more about Spartanburg’s connection to stock car racing.

NASCAR

Ray Arnold, Jr was involved in the racing career of Wendell Scott Team #34, the first African-American driver in NASCAR. They met in 1961 at Spartanburg Fairgrounds when Scott entered his first race in the NASCAR Series. Ray, a spectator, noticed that Scott needed help in the pits. He loaned Scott the carburetor off of his new 1962 Chevrolet Impala so Scott could finish the race. This led to a close and lifelong friendship. In the pit area he was referred to as “Rags” because he always carried a shop rag in his back pocket. Ray continued to be a part of the team until Scott retired in 1973. He was careful to not let his involvement interfere with teaching Industrial Arts and Automotive Mechanics classes at Lincoln High School (1955 – 1970) and later at Eastside High School (1970-1985).  He would often leverage this experience to engage students and to further their learning.

In January 2015, Wendell Scott was inducted in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Scott did not live to experience this great honor, but the Scott Family, Ray, other Team #34 members and their supporters were a part of the induction weekend. He enjoyed signing autographs and sharing his story with the media. See the links below for further details on Ray’s involvement. Many of his photos, images and eyewitness accounts are captured in the Wendell Scott narrative. The 1977 release of Greased Lightening featured Richard Pryor portraying Wendell Scott.

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Eastside High School Drag Racing Team

Ray was well-loved and respected by his students. While teaching at Eastide High School (Taylors, SC) he  a drag founded a racing team as a class project. Only the top students could serve on the pit crew. This encouraged students to excel so they could participate. The team took a junk 1969 dodge charger purchased from an auction and meticulously converted it into a sparkling hot rod racer.  It featured the school’s royal blue and gold colors. See the photo from an area car show.  It often appeared and placed in area car shows. The Eastside team competed at multiple NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) venues in the region, including Spartanburg Dragway, Greer Dragway, Atlanta International Dragway, and Blaney Dragstrip (near Columbia). The family is seeking to compile more of the story of the Eastside High Drag Team.

He was especially proud of his students from both Lincoln and Eastside High Schools. Many of them were inspired to pursue careers in education or the automotive industry. The adult children of Ray Arnold have been in touch with some of the students. They are seeking to learn more on the impact Ray Arnold made while teaching them. Their hope is to use these experiences to compile efforts that will help  close the gap in vocational and STEM education. This will be a key focus of the Arnold Legacy Center.

Articles

At 1:55 minutes in, he is wearing a shirt with the 34 on the back. He has on a white hat.

Wendell Scott Hall of Fame Induction

2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame