LAS VEGAS, NEVADA (March 11, 2001) Hershel McGriff’s top five finish was definitely exciting for the Orleans Racing team Saturday, March 10th in the NASCAR Winston West Jani-King Tucson 250. Legendary NASCAR driver Hershel McGriff, came back from one lap down to finish 5th, the last car on the lead lap in the desert endurance race. McGriff is the oldest driver at 73 to finish a NASCAR Winston West race in the top five.
Brendan Gaughan, the Orleans Racing NAPA/Martin-Senour driver, battled excessive tire wear throughout the whole race. His skilled efforts at Tucson Raceway Park earned him a 12th place finish.
The day started rough when the No. 04 MBNA/Park Corp. Monte Carlo experienced engine problems in the first practice session. The crew replaced the motor in time for McGriff to qualify for the 10th row.
“We just didn’t out think ourselves,” said crew chief Chuck Carruthers. “The motor deal was a shame, because it cost us a practice session. But we just went out there with at good base-line set-up and Hershel put it in the top five.”
McGriff’s slow start with a loose-handling car, forced him down a lap. That left him with more tire later when his competitors began to fade. By lap 70, he was on fire! He began picking off the competition one by one. At the half way break on lap 125, McGriff was in 8th place, but still one lap down.
The crew made no major changes during the break. When the green flew, McGriff once again began picking off cars one by one. By lap 207, he made up his lap. At lap 238 he was in fifth place, the last car on the lead lap, and held on.
“Hershel did great,” said Bill McAnally, owner of Orleans Racing. “We know that a win is right around the corner for this MBNA team.”
The Jani-King Tucson 250 was the third race in the NASCAR Winston West series. The race will be televised on Fox SportsNet on a yet-to-be-determined date.
For more information about Orleans Racing, visit our websites at www.orleansracing.com and www.hershel-mcgriff.com.
