Eddie Gray (racing driver)

Eddie Gray (February 4, 1920 – October 25, 1969) was a race car driver from Gardena, California. He became champion of a predecessor of the NASCAR Winston West Series in 1958, 1961 and 1962. The series was then known as NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model (PCLM).

Eddie Gray
Born(1920-02-04)February 4, 1920
Gardena, California, U.S.
DiedOctober 25, 1969 (aged 49)
Cause of deathHeart attack
Achievements1958/1961/1962 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series Champion
AwardsInducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame (posthumously, 2002)
NASCAR Cup Series career
22 races run over 9 years
Best finish44th - 1958 Grand National Series season
First race1954 untitled race (Willow Springs Speedway)
Last race1966 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)
First win1958 Crown America 500 (Riverside)
Last win1961 California State Fairgrounds dirt track
Wins Top tens Poles
4 9 1

Gray also participated in NASCAR Grand National races on the West Coast, capturing 4 wins, including two as an owner-driver. On May 31, 1958, Gray won a 500-mile race at Riverside International Raceway, the first NASCAR event held at the track. He also ran the 1958 Southern 500 at Darlington and attempted to make the 1960 Daytona 500.

Gray raced Jalopies with the California Jalopy Association (CJA) and became one of the top short track Stock Car racers in Southern California at tracks like Saugus Speedway (where he was a track champion), Ascot Park and Orange Show Speedway, earning the nickname "Steady" Eddie Gray.

Death

Suffered a severe heart attack while driving in the Permatex 100 race for Late Model Sportsman cars at Riverside International Raceway in January 1969 and died nine months later while undergoing heart surgery. He is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

Awards

Gray was inducted in the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in its first class (2002).

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References

    Achievements
    Preceded by
    Lloyd Dane
    NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series champion
    1958
    Succeeded by
    Bob Ross
    Preceded by
    Marvin Porter
    NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Series champion
    1961-1962
    Succeeded by
    Ron Hornaday, Sr.


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