NASCAR's Oldest Driver

" Her show Barbara thank you so much for being here and congratulations. Wolf thank you. Now that we should mention you didn't win but you you came in right in the middle layer and and you beat out a lot of people work. A half for a quarter of your rage did did you feel Eurasian you don't look 81 years old I gotta tell you."

" While thank you -- you know. When I get all build it is that karma but in my helmet on and then met up on the side of the really can't tell how old I -- anyway. Yeah you can't and he came in thirteenth among how many how many racers were there. There's I think this started point 81 any. And they don't I would've liked I didn't -- able to keep up the leaders but you know ahead -- time on the track with the new car. As -- I've felt very happy that we had a good day now."

" Just to put things in perspective for the folks out there army in 81 is is kind of hard to have put in perspective these days that people -- living older working longer thank goodness I think it's a good thing. But your first race was back in 1945. You were seventeen years old. And it was the Portland speedway which I guess wasn't even paved at the time is that right."

" No I was dirt pay they pay that the following year but it was dirt with a to a particular operation unbelievable did you win. No but I federation known as started about forty Karzai finished profit third -- that in every record but I was summer and there are so. I was happy about two consider it was my first treasures are just right after world war -- okay well the next year they did David and I understand you did win that year right. I'll won the first -- out when the paper and -- domestic and it was that the governor Chanel trophy and I won that three times in a row."

" And again just reminders this is this all was was years before NASCAR even began infected. I think was 1950 wind the founder NASCAR bill France came up CNN and as she -- to join him right. Well I met bill."

" As senior withdrawal occurs turned while I was down in at the Pan American road race and of course she invited me to come over and run that Darlington in the first Norwegian 500. Which I did after I got home with a car to Portland I drove the car one national liberation. -- a dark -- finished ninth and I drove back home on the street."

" So you met bill France in Mexico. This was this was just as NASCAR was getting started you went on by the way to work two to complete 85 races. Over the years but did you realize back then that NASCAR would turn into what it's become."

" While I don't think any ambush then how it's grown so much does business -- you know back then. I was just a young kid and I wanted to raise so but -- still had a family a home in Nashville you know -- work. So whatever I can get away I get in the car and drive cross country and admiration and drive it back home again. You know we didn't have all the big super powers launched of them and but that was the beginning -- it all began what is it about racing this can't give a F 54 year career you've had to what what is it about race and it really turns you on. Well I think I you know I've destroys you have been the -- competitive. And a bush been -- You know more like cars and although one not a mechanic but -- loved to drive them and -- is just. Part of my life like that like my family and then a reporter for everything to. All the time that we were -- I've gone through life -- show that made it that was important to me. Now you have a raise since 2002. Why the hiatus I was on California Speedway you know ever brought a couple hundred -- earn up 190 miles an -- show and then -- if you look at the wall in -- why don't want to -- cars have a problem so. I just thought right then this is not that much much fun as I thought. So I just kind of took the cars home park them and then now when I heard about the PR operation to free road courses job. Going on now I -- every be fun to get back in and as she -- of these kids are. And I just say one thing they're pretty good it isn't the whole thing like. As you get older you get faster don't quite work that way but I think I hung in -- bigger than that I think even. August the first -- draw albeit I'll be more competitive. That day so you're going again in August by the way 54 year career I got to ask you -- have you had any injuries. No no I haven't I'm very fortunate I've had a few -- but nothing real surge. Incredible and and what about your reflexes W finish in the first half of the race which is terrific that's an achievement for anybody running but. Do you feel that the reflexes are sharper as they always work. I think so the main thing that I have prostrate -- give my mind on what I'm doing. And not look at the crowd going by and all the cheering them all -- can stop. And no my -- my reflection are good in our -- more general -- do all kinds of things that club. -- people don't do and trying to keep up with the younger one -- and I think I -- job you're coming back in August we can watch it. Is is this is this -- last year you're gonna keep going on eighty to 83 and as long as you can. Well -- on this planet -- this is fun for me and you know I don't. I'm not trying to prove anything to anybody is just a fun thing my my whole family was here in Portland and I think most dumb albeit. That at the north -- part and a couple weeks. So that's all worth it to me that's what life all about is have a fun and keep it healthy. I gotta ask your final question what about your family is anybody in -- family say hey you Herschel what we we want to stay around along we don't watch it endanger life by racing anymore. No they haven't said that they have said that the car developers shave and I don't take any ordinary check on chances. Has so no they've given -- encouragement. Have been written back to me very well and I have anybody tell me that where you're doing the employment market it we're not getting here for me because I think it's -- best thing you can possibly do in the world and and we are rooting for your urge shall. We're all going to be poll of four in August Herschel McGriff. Thank you so much for joining us really appreciate it. Well thank you for have a."