About
Stock car driver who broke down racial barriers by becoming the first black NASCAR driver. He is also the first black driver to win the Sprint Cup Series and is a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2015.
Before Fame
He served in the U.S. Army in World War II before running an auto-repair shop.
Trivia
His life was the inspiration for the 1977 Richard Pryor film Greased Lightning.
Family Life
He was survived by his wife Mary and children Franklin, Sybil, Wendell Jr., Michael, Willie Ann, Deborah, and Cheryl.
Associated With
He paved the way for future black NASCAR drivers like Bill Lester.
