At the age of 81, Hershel McGriff is the oldest driver in NASCAR history. He started racing in the 1940s, in the family sedan he “borrowed” from his dad.
Back then, 75 miles per hour was blazing. Now, he speeds around more than twice that fast. It’s not that he hasn’t thought about retirement; after all, he retired for the first time back in 1954. He was out of the sport for seven years before his recent comeback. He says he just missed the action.
It didn’t take him long to get right back in the middle of it, finishing 13th at Portland International at the age of 81. He’s a man who refuses to live life staring at the rear view mirror when there is a lot of road out front still to travel.
Click here to read his blog.
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gsb321
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Posted 10:58am August 28th, 2009I have watched Hershel race when I still lived out West. He was only in his sixties then. All I can say is; Go Hershel Go. I still race, but only in SCCA autocross and speed trials. I go to track days and hone my skills as a driver. I raced competitvely as an AMA roadracer (motorcycles) when I was young. Now I am 64 and cannot get sponsorship to race in SCCA Touring 1, so I have to be content in doing what I am doing.
It is terrific to hear Hershel and know he is still racing. I wish him continued success. It is great to get an update.
My avatar is my hobby and the picture is going through turn 1 at Sebring International Raceway. Racing keeps you young and your senses sharp along with exercise and taking good care of your health.
ptAire
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Posted 3:16pm August 27th, 2009My husband and I were at Civic Stadium in Buffalo, NY in 1946 when Ed Otto brought the first NASCAR stock car race in. We were hooked. Got married in Feb '51 so we could go watch them race on the beach at Daytona. Hershels' name is familiar to me and probably we saw him during the 50's but my memory isn't as sharp as my husband's was. If he were here he'd know where and when we saw him. Our son and grandson still go to Daytona. NASCAR is a great family sport.