Darrell Wallace Jr. became the first black man to win a national Nascar race in 50 years after at Martinsville Speedway in southern Virginia on Saturday.

Nascar has had its share of image problems and was quick to celebrate Wallace’s victory. "We congratulate Darrell Wallace Jr. on his first national series victory, one that will be remembered as a remarkable moment in our sport’s history," said Nascar chairman and CEO Brian France.

CNN noted that no black driver had won a national Nascar race since December 1, 1963 when Wendell Scott became the first African-American to win at Nascar top level at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Fla.