Root Insurance reveals iconic paint scheme in
tribute to Wendell Scott's historic 1963 victory
The No. 23 Root Insurance Toyota Camry will honor the legacy
of Wendell Scott this Sunday, May 9, at Darlington (S.C.)
Raceway with Bubba Wallace in the driver’s seat. The car’s
throwback design pays homage to Scott’s iconic “Scott Blue 34”
paint scheme (a dark powder-blue) with white numerals from his
historic 1963 victory at Jacksonville’s Speedway Park. The car’s
look was unveiled today on 23XI Racing’s social channels as seen
here.
“The legacy of Wendell Scott is one of the most important
happenings in civil rights and sports history,” says Warrick Scott,
CEO of the Wendell Scott Foundation and grandson of Wendell Scott.
“We appreciate Root Insurance, Bubba Wallace, and 23XI Racing for
acknowledging Wendell Scott’s legacy with the "Scott Blue 34"
throwback scheme. My grandfather built the ultimate bridge for
diversity in NASCAR. His struggles led to his greatness, and in
doing so he has left a lasting impression of ingenuity,
perseverance, and love that continues to manifest through the work
of the Wendell Scott Foundation.”
Bold change happens because of the courage and determination of
those who came first. Wendell Scott was the first African-American
team owner and driver to compete full-time in the NASCAR Grand
National Series, and the only African-American driver to win a race
in what is now the NASCAR Cup Series.
“Progress started here” is emblazoned across the No. 23 Root
Insurance Toyota Camry in honor of Scott’s legacy as a trailblazer
who fought for progress that continues today. Scott was known for
his skill as both driver and mechanic, and the No. 23 Toyota Camry
paint scheme includes the script “Mechanic: Me” as a nod to the
same line found on Scott’s racing car. Credited for his tireless
toughness and tenacity, Scott was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of
Fame Class in 2015 where his son Franklin spoke at the induction
ceremony.
Scott’s legacy lives on today through the Wendell Scott
Foundation, which provides STEM-focused mentoring, job skill
training, educational opportunities and supportive services to
at-risk, under-served students. In support of the Wendell Scott
Foundation’s mission and their incredible work, Root Insurance and
Bubba Wallace’s “Live To Be Different” Foundation have made
matching $10,000 donations. Learn more by visiting
wendellscott.org.
“To honor Wendell Scott this weekend at Darlington and celebrate
his legacy is such an honor,” said Wallace. “He may have been the
first, but we are all working every day to provide opportunities to
others and to make sure we continue his legacy both on and off the
track. I was able to drive a Wendell Scott throwback scheme in 2014
when it was announced he was being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of
Fame, and we were able to get him back to victory lane with us that
day. Since then, I’ve grown so much and understand even more today
what it means to honor those that have come before us and to use my
voice and platform for good. I’m excited to not only be driving the
throwback scheme this weekend, but to also make a donation to the
Wendell Scott Foundation to help continue empowering the next
generation. Thanks to Root Insurance for being a part of the
change, pushing the boundaries, and allowing us to honor Wendell
(Scott) this weekend at Darlington.”
The 2021 Official Throwback Weekend at Darlington Raceway
celebrates NASCAR’s past, present, and future. Sunday’s race is the
second of three this season when the No. 23 Camry, driven by
Wallace, will carry the Root Insurance livery as a primary sponsor.
To learn more about Root’s partnership with Wallace, visit
joinroot.com/progress. For more on 23XI Racing, visit
https://www.23xiracing.com/.
About Wendell Scott:
Wendell Oliver Scott (August 29, 1921–December 23, 1990) was an
American stock car racing driver from Danville, Virginia. He is the
only African-American driver to win a race in what is now the
NASCAR Cup Series. In 1973, Scott was injured seriously in a wreck
that forced him to retire. After retiring, Scott worked full-time
in the auto repair shop he’d opened around 1950. The money he made
from racing and the repair shop helped him send all six of his
children to college.
Scott’s commitment to racing and the adversity he faced so
winningly have earned him spots in national and international halls
of fame. The only hall of fame induction that Scott received while
alive was to the Black Athletes Hall of Fame. In 2015, Wendell was
inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Wendell Scott’s legacy of
integrity and determination endures today within NASCAR and beyond
with the Wendell Scott Foundation.
About Bubba Wallace:
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is NASCAR’s only African-American
driver and has played a critical role in NASCAR's push for
inclusion and equality, including its ban of the Confederate flag
at race events. In 2018, Wallace became the first full-time
African-American NASCAR Cup Series driver in over four decades,
starting his rookie season with a runner-up finish at the Daytona
500. He went on to finish second in the Rookie of the Year
standings.
The 27-year-old has six total career Camping World Truck Series
wins, and Wallace became the first African-American driver in
nearly 50 years to win a NASCAR national series race when he went
to victory lane at Martinsville Speedway in 2013 (Wendell Scott won
a NASCAR Grand National race in 1964).
About 23XI Racing
23XI Racing—pronounced twenty-three eleven—was founded by NBA
legend Michael Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny
Hamlin in 2020.
Rising NASCAR star Bubba Wallace is the single-car team’s
driver. 23XI Racing’s No. 23 Toyota Camry made its NASCAR Cup
Series debut at the Daytona 500 on February 14, 2021, at Daytona
International Speedway.
About Root
Root Insurance is the nation’s first licensed insurance
carrier powered entirely by mobile. We were founded on the
principle that auto insurance rates should be based primarily on
driving behaviors, not demographics. Using mobile technology and
data science, Root offers personalized, fair rates to good drivers
all through an easy-to-use app.
Root is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with renters insurance
available in Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Nevada,
Tennessee, and Utah, and auto insurance currently available to
drivers in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico,
Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Tom Kuhn Director of Communications 614-385-2828
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