Hershel McGriff

Hershel McGriff (born December 14, 1927) is an American stock car racing driver. A long-time competitor in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, formerly known as the Winston West Series, he won the series' 1986 championship, and is also a four-time winner in Grand National competition.

Racing career

McGriff first raced on September 16, 1945, right after racing resumed in the United States after World War II.^[1] He was the winner of the first Carrera Panamericana in 1950, where he met NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.^[2] France convinced McGriff to come south and race in NASCAR races at Daytona Beach, the first Southern 500 race at Darlington Raceway, Detroit, and Raleigh.^[1]

France convinced McGriff to race full-time in NASCAR in 1954. He had his four wins that year in the Grand National series, the first coming at Bay Meadows Speedway.^[3] He had 17 top-10 finishes in 24 events, and finished sixth in the final points standings.^[4] McGriff's average finishing position was higher than points champion Lee Petty.^[1]

McGriff had two options to choose from for the 1955 season. He was offered a ride in NASCAR to race for millionaire Carl Kiekhaefer's newly formed team. McGriff decided to return home to the West Coast to be closer to his family, and to tend to his growing timber and mill business. Tim Flock drove Kiekhaefer's Chrysler 300 to 18 victories that season and the season championship.^[1]

McGriff returned to racing after not racing for around ten years.^[1] He started 41st at Riverside in 1967, and had moved up to second place by the sixth lap. He beat Ron Grable in a photo finish that day.^[1]

He became the oldest driver to win a NASCAR feature race when he won an AutoZone West Series race in 1989 at the age of 61. His 14 wins at the defunct Riverside International Raceway is the most at NASCAR-sanctioned events,^[2] and he was chosen as the grand marshal for the final race at the track in 1988.^[5]

In November 1996, McGriff made the trip with several NASCAR champions, current Winston Cup, Busch Grand National and Craftsman Truck Series drivers to Japan's Suzuka Raceway for an exhibition race. He started 26th and finished 25th in what was called the NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special.

McGriff was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006.^[6]

McGriff's most recent start in the West Series came on June 23, 2012, at Sonoma Raceway, at the age of 84.

Career awards

McGriff was inducted in the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in its first class in 2002.^[1] He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006. McGriff, who retired from driving at age 74 said, "This is fantastic, getting in the Hall of Fame, but, hey, I might not be through yet. When I turn 80 [in two years], I just might go out to a short track and show the young guys that I can still do it."^[2]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46	47	48	NGNC	Pts	Ref
1950	McGriff Motorsports	52	Olds	DAB	CLT	LAN	MAR	CAN	VER	DAY	MCF	CLT	HBO	DAY	HAM	DAR 9	LAN	NWS	VER	MAR	WIN	HBO																														NA	0	^[7]
1951				DAB	CLT	NMO	GAR	HBO	ASF	NWS	MAR	CAN	CLS	CLB	DAY	GAR	GRS 11	BAI	HEI	AWS	MCF	ALS																														NA	0	^[8]
		11																					MSF 54	FMS	MOR	ABS
		77																									DAR 4	CLB	CCS	LAN	CLT	DAY	WIL	HBO	TPN	PGS	MAR	OAK 31	NWS	HMS 33	JSP	ATL	GAR	NMO
1952	Beryl Jackson	3	Olds	PBS	DAB	JSP	NWS	MAR	CLB	ATL	CCS	LAN	DAR	DAY	CAN	HAY	FMS	HBO	CLT	MSF 7	NIF 15	OSW	MON	MOR	PPS	MCF	AWS	DAR	CCS	LAN	DAY	WIL	HBO	MAR	NWS	ATL	PBS															NA	0	^[9]
1953	McGriff Motorsports	5	Olds	PBS	DAB	HAR	NWS	CLT	RCH	CCS	LAN	CLB	HCY	MAR	PMS	RSP 19	LOU 14	FFS	LAN	TCS	WIL	MCF	PIF	MOR	ATL	RVS	LCF	DAV	HBO	AWS	PAS	HCY	DAR	CCS	LAN	BLF	WIL	NWS	MAR	ATL												51st	322	^[10]
1954	Beryl Jackson	98	Olds	PBS	DAB 12	JSP	ATL	OSP																																												6th	5137	^[11]
	Beryl Jackson	9	Olds						OAK 20	NWS	HBO	CCS	LAN	WIL	MAR	SHA
	Frank Christian	14	Olds														RSP 3	CLT 10	GAR	CLB 2		HCY 7	MCF 5	WGS 3	PIF 10	AWS 13	SFS 3	GRS 21	MOR 3	OAK	CLT 15	SAN 1*	COR 2	DAR 45	CCS 1	CLT 1	LAN 3	MAS 9	MAR 2	NWS 1
		8	Jaguar																		LIN 30
1971	Beryl Jackson	04	Plymouth	RSD 12	DAY	DAY	DAY																				RSD 21	HOU	GPS	DAY	BRI	AST	ISP	TRN	NSV	ATL	BGS	ONA	MCH	TAL	CLB	HCY	DAR	MAR	CLT	DOV	CAR	MGR	RCH	NWS	TWS	NA	0	^[12]
1971	Robert Koehler	41	Plymouth					ONT 28	RCH	CAR	HCY	BRI	ATL	CLB	GPS	SMR	NWS	MAR	DAR	SBO	TAL	ASH	KPT	CLT	DOV	MCH																										NA	0	^[12]

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	NWCC	Pts	Ref
1972	Beryl Jackson	04	Plymouth	RSD 5	DAY	RCH												RSD 12	TWS	DAY	BRI	TRN	ATL	TAL	MCH	NSV	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	TWS 5	45th	1199.75	^[13]
1972		4W					ONT 6	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	MCH																		45th	1199.75	^[13]
1973		04		RSD 23	DAY 5	RCH	CAR	BRI	ATL	NWS	DAR	MAR	TAL	NSV	CLT	DOV	TWS	RSD 7	MCH	DAY	BRI	ATL	TAL	NSV	DAR	RCH	DOV	NWS	MAR	CLT	CAR				51st	-	^[14]
1974	Petty Enterprises	04	Dodge	RSD 10	DAY 39	RCH	CAR 32	BRI	ATL	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL 12	NSV	DOV	CLT																			50th	20.34	^[15]
1974	Midgley Racing	26W	Chevy														RSD 35	MCH	DAY	BRI	NSV	ATL	POC	TAL	MCH	DAR	RCH	DOV	NWS	MAR	CLT	CAR	ONT		50th	20.34	^[15]
1975	Midgley Racing	29W	Chevy	RSD 10																															69th	205	^[16]
	Friez Enterprises	69	Chevy		DAY 30	RCH	CAR	BRI	ATL	NWS	DAR	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT
	Midgley Racing	29	Chevy														RSD 19	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	DAR	DOV	NWS	MAR
	Harris Racing	82	Dodge																									CLT 11	RCH	CAR	BRI	ATL
	Friez Enterprises	26	Chevy																														ONT 31
1976	McGriff Motorsports	50	Chevy	RSD 30	DAY	CAR	RCH	BRI	ATL	NWS	DAR	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT	RSD	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL			102nd	73	^[17]
1976		1																															ONT 32		102nd	73	^[17]
1977		69		RSD 7																															67th	207	^[18]
	Puro Racing	90	Ford		DAY DNQ	RCH	CAR	ATL	NWS	DAR	BRI	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT
	McGriff Motorsports	4	Chevy														RSD 34	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	ONT
1978	Jefferson Racing	95	Ford	RSD 6	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	DOV	CLT	NSV																			84th	112	^[19]
1978	McGriff Motorsports	48	Chevy														RSD 17	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	ONT		84th	112	^[19]
1980		93	Dodge	RSD 26	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT	TWS																		59th	270	^[20]
	Midgley Racing	29	Chevy															RSD 24	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	NWS	MAR	CLT	CAR	ATL
	John Kieper	98	Chevy																															ONT 23
1981	Gerald Craker	01	Dodge	RSD 33	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	NWS	DAR	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT	TWS																		66th	206	^[21]
1981	Gerald Craker	01	Buick															RSD 25	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	RSD 38	66th	206	^[21]
1982	Gary Smith	04	Buick	DAY	RCH	BRI	ATL	CAR	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT	POC	RSD 33	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	NWS	CLT	MAR	CAR	ATL	RSD 28		73rd	143	^[22]
1983			Buick	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	BRI	CLT	RSD 26	POC	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	RSD 8		53rd	227	^[23]
1984			Pontiac	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	NWS	DAR	MAR	TAL	NSV	DOV	CLT	RSD 35	POC	MCH	DAY	NSV	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	CLT	NWS	CAR	ATL	RSD 9		67th	-	^[24]
1985				DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	DOV	CLT	RSD 29	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	RSD 26				66th	161	^[25]
1986				DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	DOV	CLT	RSD 28	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	RSD 26			77th	164	^[26]
1987				DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	NWS	BRI	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	POC	RSD 12	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	RSD 42	ATL			67th	164	^[27]
1988	McGriff Motorsports			DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	RSD 36	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN 25	MCH	BRI	DAR DNQ	RCH	DOV	MAR	CLT	NWS	CAR	PHO 34	ATL			53rd	204	^[28]
1989	McGriff Motorsports			DAY	CAR	ATL	RCH	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	SON 14	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	CLT	NWS	CAR	PHO DNQ	ATL			65th	-	^[29]
1990	Bob Lipseia			DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	SON 44	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO DNQ	ATL			105th	31	^[30]
1991	Bob Lipseia			DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	SON 32	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO 27	ATL			60th	149	^[31]
1992	TTC Motrosports Inc.	50	Chevy	DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	SON 42	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO	ATL			97th	37	^[32]
1993	TTC Motrosports Inc.	04	Chevy	DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	SON 43	CLT	DOV	POC	MCH	DAY	NHA	POC	TAL	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO	ATL		95th	34	^[33]
1994	Breezly Motorsports	04W	Ford	DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	BRI	NWS	MAR	TAL	SON	CLT	DOV	POC	MCH	DAY	NHA	POC	TAL	IND DNQ	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	PHO	ATL	NA	-	^[34]

Daytona 500

Year	Team	Manufacturer	Start	Finish
1973	Beryl Jackson	Plymouth	6	5
1974	Petty Enterprises	Dodge	8	39
1975	Friez Enterprises	Chevy	38	30
1977	Puro Racing	Ford	DNQ

ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series results
Year	Team	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	AHSS	Pts	Ref
1993	TTC Motrosports Inc.	04W	Chevy	DAY	FIF	TWS 4	TAL	KIL	CMS	FRS	TOL	POC	MCH	FRS	POC	KIL	ISF	DSF	TOL	SLM	WIN	ATL	NA	0	^[35]

24 Hours of Le Mans results

24 Hours of Le Mans results
Year	Team	Co-Drivers	Car	Class	Laps	Pos.	Class Pos.
1976	NASCAR – McGriff	Doug McGriff	Dodge Charger	NASCAR	2	DNF	DNF
1982	Stratagraph Inc.	Dick Brooks Tom Williams	Chevrolet Camaro	IMSA GTO	141	NC	NC

References

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Biography at the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame, 2002, Retrieved November 7, 2007
1 2 3 Shav Glick, "MOTOR RACING:Ward to Enter Hall of Fame", August 15, 2006, page D.6, Los Angeles Times
↑ "Grand National Won by Portland Driver". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, OR. August 23, 1954. p. B2.
↑ Driver's statistics at Racing-reference.info
↑ "Benny Parsons' commentary, ESPN 26 hour marathon for the Top NASCAR races as it turns 50 years old at Riverside International Raceway". 1999. ESPN2. ESPN. Missing or empty |series= (help)
↑ John Coon Deseret News. "McGriff, 81, is far from a novelty act." Deseret News (Salt Lake City). Deseret News Publishing Co. 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2012 from HighBeam Research: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-20594050.html
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1950 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1951 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1952 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1953 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1954 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
↑ "Hershel McGriff – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 28, 2016.

External links

Hershel McGriff driver statistics at Racing-Reference

Sporting positions
Preceded by Jim Robinson	NASCAR Winston West Series champion 1986	Succeeded by Chad Little

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