81-year-old qualifies for NASCAR West series race

[Rick Anges]

PORTLAND, Ore. — 81-year-old Hershel McGriff has become the oldest driver to take part in a national NASCAR series race after qualifying for a Camping World West Series event at Portland International Raceway.

McGriff took part in Sunday's pre-race qualifying but made the race as one of 26 drivers competing for 28 spots in the field.

McGriff has not raced in a NASCAR series event since 2002.

In a career that has spanned six decades, he won four NASCAR Cup races, and 37 races on the West series.He is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame.

The Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops 125 at Portland's road course was scheduled later Sunday.

[ocalasp76]

Thanks Rick

The next time my son tells me I'm too old to race at 60, I'm going to shove this article in his face.
Then I will tell him what I've said to others....STFU !!

Proudly spending my childrens inheritance......ON RACIN'.

--JIM--

[ams311]

wtg

News
The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. | Ever the gentleman, Hershel McGriff was good-natured about finishing 13th in a NASCAR-sanctioned race at age 81.

"My competition was faster," he deadpanned.

Although he certainly would have taken a victory, McGriff seemed nevertheless pleased with his showing on the road course at Portland International Raceway, part of the NASCAR Camping World West Series.

Jim Inglebright of Fairfield, Calif., won the race, which featured a late caution for a green-white-checkered finish. He edged fellow Californian Greg Pursley, who slipped partially off track on the final turn.

McGriff was the defending champion in Portland winning the only other time the series - then known as Winston West - visited the track in 1986.

Although he automatically qualified as one of 26 drivers in a race that had 28 spots, he had to start at the back of the pack and one lap down because of changes he made to the car after the qualifying session. He replaced the carburetor.

"I really didn't have a lot to lose," he said. "I did not want to go out there and flop around."

He certainly didn't, said Ingelbright.

"There were a lot of other cars out there that were a lot slower," the winner said. "He did a great job."

[Bosco]

I remember seeing Herschel race at the 12 hours of Sebring in the Mid 70's in a
Aluminum big block Camaro and he was FAST. In the opening laps he blasted a
Datsun Z car or something that got in his way, damaging the front end.
Herschel pitted for a few moments and the crew tore off the front body work and sent him back out.

Herschel was back out blasting around the track with the car looking like a modified. He was running laps at about the same pace as the 935 Porsche's.

Very Cool. Herschel's the real deal!