CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Wendell Scott earned a second NASCAR first on Wednesday: He became the first African-American driver to be elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The late driver from Virginia was among the latest group of five — all drivers, another first — voted in the hall on Wednesday. Scott joins popular NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, two-time series champ Joe Weatherly, 1960 champion Rex White and 26-time race winner Fred Lorenzen. Scott competed in NASCARs top series from 1961-73. He won his only race at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1963, taking the checkered flag in the 100-mile feature after starting 15th. Scott started 495 Sprint Cup events and had a 147 top 10 finishes. "I just felt like that his time was coming and he would say that too, one day its going to happen," said Scotts son, Franklin. When Scotts name was called there were enthusiastic shouts and applause from fans, officials and family members gathered at the NASCAR Hall of Fame rotunda. He was the second-leading vote getter behind Elliott from a 54-member panel, including current Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. Scott, who died in 1990, was the first African-American driver to race fulltime in NASCARs top series. He had won more than 100 races at local tracks before stepping up to race against NASCARs best. Among Scotts legacy to the sport is the sports Drive for Diversity initiative, one of the top youth development programs for multicultural and female drivers across the motorsports industry thats been in place since 2004. "The next inductee gives me additional pride," NASCAR chairman Brian France said in introducing Scott, "Because he undoubted scaled and climbed the highest mountain." Scotts story was loosely portrayed in the 1977 movie, "Greased Lightning," where Richard Pryor starred as Scott, the one-time taxi driver from Danville, Virginia. "He said one day they are going to write a book about me," Franklin Scott said of his father. "He had great determination. He was a great ambassador for the sport." Elliott was the 1988 Sprint Cup champion and his 44 race victories rank 16th in NASCAR history. The driver nicknamed "Awesome Bill From Dawsonville" was also the first to win the Winston Million bonus in 1985 for capturing three of NASCAR crown jewel races. When Elliotts name was called, racer son Chase patted him on the shoulder. "This is at the top of everything Ive ever done and accomplished," he said. "This is the pinnacle." Elliott said he was a bit surprised when he was called first and thanked those who helped him achieve what he had in racing. "You look at all of the people to be nominated and you try to put things into perspective. And bam, you are the first name announced and its like, holy mackerel what just happened," he said. Modified champion Jerry Cook was sixth, car owner Robert Yates seventh and the late driver and announcer Benny Parsons eighth. The five inductees will be enshrined at ceremonies on January 30th. Hall of Famer Richard Petty, among the voters, said there were few clear cut people on the list of 20. "I had my thoughts and others had theirs, but nobody said this is the guy that needs to get in," Petty said. "That was different than past years." Weatherly, who died in 1964, won 25 races in NASCARs premiere series including those back-to-back championships in 1962 and 1963. White raced from 1956-64, winning 28 times in 233 events including six races during his championship season in 1960. Lorenzen started as a mechanic in NASCAR in 1960, but became a driver by the end of the year. He won the first three of his 26 races the next season. In 1963, Lorenzen had a stretch of dominance like few others when he won eight of 16 races entered. At one point, he led 1,679 of the possible 1,953 laps run. Series matriarch Anne Bledsoe France was honoured with the inaugural Landmark Award. She was the wife of NASCAR founding father, Bill France, and grandmother of current CEO and chairman Brian France. Anne B. France served as secretary and treasurer of NASCAR. AP Sports Writer Steve Reed contributed to this report. Evgeni Malkin Jersey . -- Masahiro Tanaka knows that first appearance in a spring training game for the New York Yankees will be scrutinized. Paul Coffey Jersey . It was my fifth straight year attending and, as always, there are many interesting matters discussed as it pertains to the use of statistics in sports. http://www.hockeypenguins.com/authentic-...enguins-jersey/. Price was hurt at the start of Wednesdays practice after facing just one shot as the team worked on their power play. He left the ice in discomfort and appeared to be favouring his leg. A Habs source told TSNs John Lu that Price suffered the injury in Sochi and not before the Olympics. Mario Lemieux Jersey . "I have had no discussions with Chad Johnson or his representation," Popp said Friday in an email. However, he appeared to confirm a report on Twitter from TSN this week that Johnson was on Montreals negotiation list. Carter Rowney Jersey . -- So much for concern that running back Marshawn Lynch would be absent from the Seattle Seahawks minicamp.HOUSTON -- Chris Borland made one more big play to convince the 49ers he should be in the mix of linebackers to replace injured NaVorro Bowman. Borland, a third-round pick from Wisconsin, returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown, third-string quarterback Josh Johnson threw three TD passes and San Francisco beat the Houston Texans 40-13 on Thursday night. Bowman is expected to miss at least half the season as he recovers from a devastating left knee injury sustained in the NFC championship game loss to the rival Seahawks. Michael Wilhoite is listed as the starter, but defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio said younger players would get a "good, healthy dose of snaps" Thursday night to move up the depth chart. Borland also had a team-high six tackles. "I think I had one of my better games, but I still made some mistakes I need to fix," Borland said. "Thats kind of been the story this preseason, so I have some things to improve on, but it could help." Colin Kaepernick did not play for the 49ers. Blaine Gabbert played the first half and went 4 for 11 for 60 yards before Johnson took over. Coach Jim Harbaugh had said earlier in the week that he planned to play Kaepernick. He decided Wednesday that he would rest Kaepernick and the rest of his starters. "Some of the starters didnt get to play and that was a decision to keep them from that kind of fun," Harbaugh said. "I feel bad for that, for them, but some of our other guys got a chance to play the best game of their career. Thats really exciting for me." Houston quarterbacks Case Keenum and Tom Savage both threw interceptions as they compete for the backup job behind Ryan Fitzpatrick. Keenum went 8 for 17 for 70 yards and Savage went 8 for 12 for 43 yards. Keenum got the start and misfired on five of his first seven passes. He got the Texans moving on his third series, completing three passes to DeVier Posey. Rookie Chris Boswell finished the drive with a 41-yard field goal. Boswell is competing with Randy Bullock for Houstons kicking duties. Gabbert started 1 for 4 and was sacked by outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus on the second-to-lastt play of the first quarter.dddddddddddd Mercilus, a late first-round pick in 2012 now backing up Jadeveon Clowney, tackled LaMichael James behind the line on the next play. Savage started the second quarter for Houston and completed his first six throws. His first miss was a third-down toss to Mike Thomas and Bullock kicked a 52-yard field goal for a 6-0 lead. Gabbert completed a 32-yard pass to Derek Carrier to finally kick-start the 49ers and tossed a 14-yard TD pass to Asante Cleveland with 1:18 left in the half. Harbaugh said Gabbert hurt his shoulder in the first half and underwent an X-ray. Keenum returned with 1:12 left in the half and the ball at the Houston 19. He threw behind Posey and Chris Cook intercepted and returned it to the Houston 13. Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Bruce Ellington on the next play. Phil Dawson kicked a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter. Borland then picked off Savages next throw, stepping in front of tight end Ryan Griffin and racing to the end zone. "Its just anticipation," Savage said. "Ive just got to get the ball out quicker. I think it was the right read. It was just the ball has got to be out and thats something I can definitely improve on." Texans rookie Andre Hal intercepted Johnsons pass and returned it 77 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. Johnson threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Nelson and Kassim Osgood blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety in the fourth quarter. Nose tackle Ian Williams, centre Daniel Kilgore and right guard Joe Looney were the only San Francisco first-teamers to start. Wilhoite and fullback Bruce Miller were the only other regular starters who played. Wilhoite only played on special teams. Carrier left the game with a hamstring injury. Notes: Kaepernick finished the preseason 12 for 22 for 115 yards. ... Texans RG Brandon Brooks was the only first-team offensive player to start. NT Jerrell Powe and defensive end Jared Crick were the first-team starters on defence for the Texans. ... Texans CB Johnathan Joseph and RB Arian Foster missed all four preseason games. Black China NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Hoodies Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online Stitched Jerseys NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys 2020 ' ' '
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