Craig Haas has captured the Sports History Award at Huntington High School’s National History Day competition. The junior’s research project titled “Wendell Scott: Racing Against Racial Barriers,” rose to the top and was recognized during a recent ceremony in the auditorium.
“Wendell Scott became the first African American NASCAR driver to ever win a race, doing so after years of facing prejudice and discrimination from competition,” Mr. Haas said. “What makes his win unique is that NASCAR attempted to disguise his victory and give it to someone else until all reporters and fans left the track. Scott’s involvement in the sport has led the sport to push for diversity amongst its drivers.”
Huntington High School junior Craig Haas.
The Huntington teenager’s research found that Mr. Scott has been a true trailblazer. “Over the past few years, NASCAR’s field has included the sport’s first Latin American driver, Daniel Suaréz, the most successful women driver’s including Danica Patrick and the African American with the best finish ever in the Daytona 500 last year, Bubba Wallace. I was inspired to do this project because it allowed me to look deeper into the history of one of my favorite sports while focusing on American history.”
Mr. Haas is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement United States History with teacher Kenneth Donovan. He is on Huntington High School’s High Honor Roll.
A member of the high school’s National Honor Society chapter, Mr. Haas has also been inducted into Huntington’s Spanish, English, Science, Math and Social Studies honor societies. He runs on the Blue Devil indoor and outdoor track teams, writes for the school newspaper and has been invited to attend the American Legion’s Boy’s State program in the summer. He participates in his church’s youth group on Friday nights.
“My ultimate dream is to be a chief marketing officer, like one of my relatives,” Mr. Haas said. “I plan on studying business marketing and minoring in Spanish. Of course, I’m just starting the college process, but I like the University of Texas-Austin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Air Force Academy, Syracuse University and some others down south.”
