David Ragan will race at Martinsville
Speedway this weekend with a special, throwback paint scheme honoring NASCAR
Hall Of Fame Inductee Wendell Scott.
Like Ragan, Scott drove a No. 34 entry
on what was then the NASCAR Grand National Series, and the Wendell Scott Hall
of Fame Tribute Ford carries the same powder-blue paint scheme and white
numerals as Scott campaigned in the 1950s and `60s. A native of nearby
Danville, Va., he was the last Cup driver to win in the No. 34 before Ragan turned
the trick in May of last year at Talladega Superspeedway.
"It's going to be really cool
to have our No. 34 Ford on the track at Martinsville with Wendell Scott's old
paint scheme,” said Ragan. “I've always had an appreciation for the history of
our sport and the people who made it what it is today, and Wendell Scott
achieved quite a bit in his career, not just for himself but others that
followed.
"It's perfect that we're doing
this tribute at Martinsville, which was Wendell's home track,” he added. “I
love Martinsville. It's got a great feel to it. It feels like you're going back
a couple of decades when you walk in. You're also back to working on the
mechanical side of the race car. You don't have to worry about your aero
platform or your ride height. You just go and get your car mechanically to
drive good.
"It's a good track for us. We
qualified eighth there last year and had a Top-15 car until we had a part
issue. But Martinsville is a lot of fun. I enjoy racing there and just enjoy
being there in that throwback environment."
Ragan has one Top-10 and four Top-15
finishes in 16 career Martinsville starts, with a best finish of eighth in 2011.
Good on David. I got Wendell Scott's autograph in 1965 and he was gracious, kind to a young man from Valdosta, Ga, and a true professional. It's always easy to remember who the good people are.
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