In celebration of Juneteenth, we are excited to present this underseen film starring Richard Pryor as Virginia’s own Wendell Scott, the first black stock car racing driver to win an upper-tier NASCAR race. A rare period film directed by a Black filmmaker, Michael Schultz, who also directed Cooley High (1975) and Car Wash (1976) immediately prior to this film. Released in 1977 but largely set in post-war Virginia, the film doesn’t shy away from the prejudice that Wendell Scott faced not only as the first champion Black stock car driver, but as a man trying to establish a living for himself and his family.

An all-star supporting cast includes Pam Grier (Coffy, Jackie Brown) as Scott’s wife, Cleavon Little (Blazing Saddles) as his childhood best friend and de-facto racing manager, and Richie Havens as his mechanic, who is best known as the musician who opened Woodstock. A winning biopic focusing on Black excellence and the importance of family, Greased Lightning is charming, thrilling, and an unexpected dramatic showcase for Richard Pryor.

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