Eddie Gray (NASCAR)
Encyclopedia
Eddie Gray was a race car driver from Gardena
, California
, USA
. 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).
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. Gray was a commercial pilot for Western Airlines.
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
.
Gardena, California
Gardena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 58,829 at the 2010 census, up from 57,746 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gardena is located at ....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He became champion of a predecessor of the NASCAR Winston West Series
NASCAR Grand National Division, AutoZone West Series
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series West is a regional stock car racing division of NASCAR...
in 1958, 1961 and 1962. The series was then known as NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model (PCLM).
Gray also participated in NASCAR Grand National
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
races on the West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
, capturing 4 wins, including two as an owner-driver. On May 31, 1958, Gray won a 500 mile race at Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
, the first NASCAR event held at the track. He also ran the 1958 Southern 500 at Darlington
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
and attempted to make the 1960 Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
.
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
Saugus Speedway
Saugus Speedway is a 1/3 mile racetrack in Saugus, California on a site. The track hosted one NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event in 1995, which was won by Ken Schrader...
(where he was a track champion), Ascot Park and Orange Show Speedway, earning the nickname "Steady" Eddie Gray. Gray was a commercial pilot for Western Airlines.
Suffered a severe heart attack while driving in the Permatex 100 race for Late Model Sportsman cars at Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
in January 1969 and died nine months later while undergoing heart surgery. He is buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park
Rose Hills Memorial Park
Rose Hills Memorial Park is the largest cemetery in the United States and is located in Whittier, California. It is owned and operated by Service Corporation International .-Mausoleums and Chapels:...
in Whittier, California
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
.