81-Year Old NASCAR Driver

Hershel McGriff, an old NASCAR champion from yesteryear, started racing at the age of 17 in his family’s sedan and last competed in 2002. But he just returned and competed at Portland International Raceway, finishing 13 out of 26:

The odds were against him before the race started. 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 Inglebright.

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

Inglebright suggested that any concerns about an 81-year-old’s reaction time in a dangerous sport do not necessarily apply to the youthful McGriff.

“I followed him for a little while and I couldn’t get around him,” Inglebright said.

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