Tuesday July 19, 2022 | LANGFORD, BC [Updated at 7:40 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Hershel McGriff Jr will be racing this weekend at Westshore Motorsports Park in the Arbutus RV “Western 150”. And his dad — Hall of Famer Hershel McGriff — will be the race marshal.
This news was sent out with some excitement today by race organizers. It’s the first time since 2004 that Super Late Model racing will return to Westshore Motorsports Park. Steve Peckford of Westshore Motorsports Park sent out information about the drivers, the cars and the event. Western Speedway manager is Daryl Crocker.
The Arbutus RV Western 150 presented by The Wickertree will feature some of the best Super Late Model drivers in B.C. as well as the son of a NASCAR Hall of Famer vying to become the first driver since Mike Zamora to win a Super Late Model race at the storied Langford oval.
Island regulars:
Island regulars such as Brandon Carlson, Darrell Midgley, Mike Haslam, Geoff Robinson and David Smith will go up against Mainland competitors such as Dave Hemrich, & Wes Mader in a 150-lap affair that will see the powerful and agile Super Lates put to the test on the flat 4/10ths of a mile oval.
Arriving from Arizona:
Hershel McGriff Jr. will make an appearance behind the wheel of a Super Late Model for the Western 150. The former NASCAR Northwest Tour rookie of the year and Tucson Speedway track champion is traveling from his home in Arizona in an effort to win the final Super Late Model race ever held at Westshore Motorsports Park.
McGriff Jr.’s father and 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Hershel McGriff will also make the trip to Vancouver Island to serve as the grand marshal of the race. McGriff’s prolific racing career began in 1945, with the former Canada 200 winner also being a member of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame and the Motorsports of America Hall of Fame.
McGriff also holds the distinction of being the oldest driver ever to race in a NASCAR sanctioned event when he competed in the 2018 Port of Tucson Twin 100’s at the age of 90.
Local drivers:
“The Super Late Model drivers will also face stiff competition from the local Westshore Motorsports Park Keg Late Model Series drivers,” it was stated in today’s release.
“Although they might have less power and adjustability, watch for drivers like Rory Smith, Kyle Cottam, Jason Frost and Rhett Smith to use their local experience to stay up with the Super Lates and maybe challenge for the win.”
The Arbutus RV Western 150 presented by the Wickertree kicks off Fri. July 22nd with qualifying for the Super Late Models as well as a full night of racing with the Seawings Express Stock Cars. The Western 150 will go green Sat. July 23rd with the Seawings Express Stock Cars and Old Time Racers Association also in action.
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Island Social Trends covers news of the west shore and south Vancouver Island region.