16 Facts About Hershel McGriff

Hershel McGriff was the winner of the first Carrera Panamericana in 1950, where he met NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr.

France convinced Hershel McGriff to come south and race in NASCAR races at Daytona Beach, the first Southern 500 race at Darlington Raceway, Detroit, and Raleigh.

Hershel McGriff had his four wins that year in the Grand National series, the first coming at Bay Meadows Speedway.

Hershel McGriff had 17 top-10 finishes in 24 events and finished sixth in the final points standings.

Hershel McGriff's average finishing position was higher than points champion Lee Petty.

Hershel McGriff had two options to choose from for the 1955 season.

Hershel McGriff was offered a ride in NASCAR to race for millionaire Carl Kiekhaefer's newly formed team.

Hershel 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.

Hershel McGriff returned to racing after not racing for around ten years.

Hershel McGriff started 41st at Riverside in 1967 and had moved up to second place by the sixth lap.

Hershel McGriff beat Ron Grable in a photo finish that day.

Hershel McGriff became the oldest driver to win a NASCAR feature race when he won the Spears Manufacturing 200, a Winston West Series race, in 1989 at the age of 61.

In November 1996, Hershel 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.

Hershel McGriff started 26th and finished 25th in what was called the NASCAR Suzuka Thunder Special.

Hershel McGriff was inducted in the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in its first class in 2002.

Hershel McGriff was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2006.