McGriff, 81, recaptures his NASCAR glory

When Green Valley resident Hershel McGriff retired from stock-car racing in 2002, he told the Los Angeles Times that his days behind the wheel weren’t over.

“When I turn 80, I just might go out to a short track and show the young guys that I can still do it,” he said in that interview.

Next week, that’s exactly what he plans to do.

McGriff, a member of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame (class of 2002) and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (class of 2006), will be taking part in the Bi-Mart Salute to the Troops “125” Race July 17-19 at Portland International Speedway at the age of 81 — making him the world’s oldest competitive driver.

He barely missed out on the 40-car field at the Bennett Lane Winery 200 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., but he has his sights set on making the field in Portland, where he was born and raised.

McGriff’s storied career began on Sept. 16, 1945 — the first race in America after World War II. NASCAR founder Bill France convinced him to race full-time in the early 1950s, where he tallied four wins and 17 top-10 finishes in 24 events.

He took a long hiatus to be near his family and tend to his growing lumber business, but the call of the pavement was too strong to resist. He signed up for a few races in the late 1960s, but kept a low profile.

In 1989, McGriff made history, as he became the oldest man to win a NASCAR race, taking first at the AutoZone West Series at age 61.

Throughout the 90s, McGriff participated in a handful of exhibition races, but rarely took part in any sanctioned events — until now.

E.D. “Thumper” Thornton, CEO of Mind2Motion Pilates, has been working with McGriff the last couple of years, and his exercise routine has enabled McGriff to get behind the wheel and attempt to prove that he wasn’t just blowing smoke in that L.A. Times interview seven years ago.

“Hershel is an inspiration to all of us,” Thumper said. “All of us age, but we don’t have to get old. Hershel is a prime example of that.”

When he’s not practicing Pilates or racing cars, McGriff manages the local copper mine.

McGriff’s return to the racetrack has been diligently detailed on his blog, hershelmcgriff.wordpress.com. From his experiences at time trials to his interview with Speed TV to hanging out with Richard Petty, McGriff’s blog has it covered.

For a full timeline on McGriff’s incredible NASCAR career, please visit http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Hershel_McGriff.htm.

Keep checking the Green Valley News throughout the summer for updates on McGriff.

nprevenas@gvnews.com | 547-9747