BACK TO GALLERIES
8.9 reasons to love Morgan Shepherd on National Senior Citizens Day
By Steve Luvender | Published: August 21, 2019 10
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Did you know August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day? Now you do. In honor of the day, we’re sharing our 8.9 (see what we did there?) favorite reasons to celebrate one of NASCAR’s most notable senior citizens, Morgan Shepherd.
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No. 1: He’s still racing at Age 77
First of all, Morgan Shepherd is 77 years old. By any definition, he’s a senior citizen. Yet, he’s still rocking it on the NASCAR Xfinity Series tour as a driver. In his storied career, he’s made over 1,000 starts across the three national touring series. Clearly, there’s no quit in Driver No. 89.
First of all, Morgan Shepherd is 77 years old. By any definition, he’s a senior citizen. Yet, he’s still rocking it on the NASCAR Xfinity Series tour as a driver. In his storied career, he’s made over 1,000 starts across the three national touring series. Clearly, there’s no quit in Driver No. 89.
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No. 2: He made his Cup debut in 1970
Morgan Shepherd started racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 1970. Yes, as in half a decade before the oldest full-time active Cup drivers Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick were even born.
Morgan Shepherd started racing in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 1970. Yes, as in half a decade before the oldest full-time active Cup drivers Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick were even born.
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No. 3: He owns his own race team
In addition to driving, Morgan Shepherd fields his own cars. A normal person in the NASCAR world would either operate a team or drive a car, but Morgan Shepherd is certainly no ordinary individual.
In addition to driving, Morgan Shepherd fields his own cars. A normal person in the NASCAR world would either operate a team or drive a car, but Morgan Shepherd is certainly no ordinary individual.
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No. 4: He’s the oldest to start a Cup race
At New Hampshire in 2014, a then-72-year-old Morgan Shepherd set the record for the oldest driver to compete at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series level. We don’t see anybody breaking this record anytime soon.
At New Hampshire in 2014, a then-72-year-old Morgan Shepherd set the record for the oldest driver to compete at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series level. We don’t see anybody breaking this record anytime soon.
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No. 5: He’s the second-oldest Cup winner
Racing at Atlanta in 1993 for the Wood Brothers (and delayed nearly a week due to snow), Morgan Shepherd scored the victory over Ernie Irvan and Rusty Wallace, becoming the second-oldest winner in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at 51 years old -- behind only 52-year-old winner Harry Gant, a mark set in 1992.
Racing at Atlanta in 1993 for the Wood Brothers (and delayed nearly a week due to snow), Morgan Shepherd scored the victory over Ernie Irvan and Rusty Wallace, becoming the second-oldest winner in Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at 51 years old -- behind only 52-year-old winner Harry Gant, a mark set in 1992.
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No. 6: His charity does good
The Morgan Shepherd Charitable Fund, described as “a program to assist the needy and handicapped in the Virginia Mountain,” was founded in 1986. Each year, the Fund makes a trip to the Virginia Mountains to donate gifts to handicapped adults and low-income families.
The Morgan Shepherd Charitable Fund, described as “a program to assist the needy and handicapped in the Virginia Mountain,” was founded in 1986. Each year, the Fund makes a trip to the Virginia Mountains to donate gifts to handicapped adults and low-income families.
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No. 7: He can throw back to himself
Few drivers have such an incredible depth of history and experience to race a paint scheme that harks back to a car of their own from decades’ past, but Morgan Shepherd is one of those drivers. This summer, he’s racing a car reminiscent of his first-ever Cup win.
Few drivers have such an incredible depth of history and experience to race a paint scheme that harks back to a car of their own from decades’ past, but Morgan Shepherd is one of those drivers. This summer, he’s racing a car reminiscent of his first-ever Cup win.
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No. 8: He’s showing no signs of stopping
When asked by NBC Sports’ Dustin Long in Miami last fall about retirement, Shepherd dismissed the idea, responding, “We’ll go as long as the Lord wants me to go.”
When asked by NBC Sports’ Dustin Long in Miami last fall about retirement, Shepherd dismissed the idea, responding, “We’ll go as long as the Lord wants me to go.”
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No. 8.9: He’s a rollerskating fiend
Few sights lift the spirit like watching a celebrated 19-time race winner skating -- literally -- around pit road on race weekends. Although, we’re going to have to deduct a tenth of a point for this little slip-up, bringing us to 8.9 reasons (out of the many) to love everybody’s favorite senior citizen.
Few sights lift the spirit like watching a celebrated 19-time race winner skating -- literally -- around pit road on race weekends. Although, we’re going to have to deduct a tenth of a point for this little slip-up, bringing us to 8.9 reasons (out of the many) to love everybody’s favorite senior citizen.