INDIANAPOLIS – An Indy teen became the first African-American to win the All-American Soap Box Derby this weekend.
Lawrence Central graduate Marlon Wells placed first in the Rally Masters division of the event in Akron, Ohio. Wells’ family said he won by just a few seconds.
"I was nervous. I was hoping. I listened until they called my name,” said Wells. “Eventually they called my name and I won. I was relieved for that."
His winning car sat in his family’s living room hours after the win as they soaked up the victory.
"If he would have drove that car and made one wrong move, one bobble he would have lost. He won by 005, that's just inches,” said father Cleo.
Wells and his father have been competing in the derby for the past six years.
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