Watch: Oldest NASCAR racer ever steals show with national anthem performance
At the age of 90, it’s pretty special to be able to play the national anthem for a NASCAR-sanctioned race.
It’s even better to race in a NASCAR event as a nonagenarian.
But to do both? Well, that’s just awesome.
Meet Hershel McGriff, 90, who became the oldest person to compete in a NASCAR-sanctioned event when he raced Saturday in the K&N Pro Series West event at Tucson Speedway.
At 90 years young, Hershel McGriff will become the oldest man to pilot a @NASCAR stock car in tomorrow's @NASCARHomeTrack K&N Pro Series West Series in #Tucson. Photos from Friday practice >> pic.twitter.com/5RMN0g3f5Y
— Mike Christy (@wildcatphotog) May 5, 2018
McGriff has been racing professionally since 1950. In 1954, he won four races in what is now the NASCAR Cup series, reported ESPN.
In the K&N series, he’s won 35 races, his last coming in 1989 when he was 62. The K&N Pro Series West is a regional stock car racing circuit that is sanctioned by NASCAR and is often a proving ground for the NASCAR Cup series.
The last time McGriff raced was 2012 when he was just 85, reported ESPN.
McGriff got the chance to race this year as a birthday present from a friend, reported the Arizona Daily Star.
Driving for Bill McAnally Racing with sponsorship from South Point Hotel and Casino, McGriff finished 18th, but it didn’t matter.
In first race back since 2009, 90-year-old Hershel McGriff finishes last. Kody Vanderwal wins his first K&N Pro Series race.
McGriff will race again at 9:30 pic.twitter.com/SlLtN9fAb2
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 6, 2018
“I’ve had a great life. I wouldn’t backtrack for anything. I have family that’s with me and behind me, so it’s great,” he told the Daily Star.
Before he climbed into his car, he performed the national anthem on his trombone.
Hershel McGriff playing the national anthem on his trombone before his race. McGriff told me that playing his trombone was the only thing he was nervous about. https://t.co/adZ2kKiIPy pic.twitter.com/SMNWclCDtK
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) May 6, 2018
McGriff said that made him more nervous than racing.
Clearly, age is only a number for Hershel McGriff.
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