Gary Kershaw

Gary Kershaw was a NASCAR driver from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Career

1968

Kershaw was the 1968 stock car champion at Western Speedway in Victoria. He moved up to the Super Stock division in 1969, and won the 1969 track championship.

1973

Gary's real prominence in racing began in 1973 when he made his first NASCAR debut at the age of 32. Gary and his crew purchased the Gary Kershaw car and ran throughout the Northwest. His first race was in Monroe, Washington and he qualified 5th fast on the big 5/8th mile oval and finished 10th. He also attended races in Yakima, Portland, Seattle, Victoria and Langley. He was 2nd at the Carling Challenge race on June 17 at Langley followed by a 7th place finish in Victoria the following week. He was 2nd fast and was 4th in the Canada 200. He ended the year 4th overall in Super Stock championship points.

1974

He repeated as Super Sock champion in 1974.^[1] He only raced in one Winston Cup race and finished 12th after starting in 33rd place.^[2] He gained experience as one of the top race drivers on the Oyster River Raceway located just north of Courtenay, B. C. In 1974 Gary competed in the NASCAR Western Grand National Victoria 150 race where he qualified for 4th place.

1975

Gary's 1975 season started with a 3rd place finish in the May 31st Carling Opener in Victoria. The next Carling race in Victoria saw him finish 4th. He then ran the International Drivers Challenge Race and qualified in 2nd. He earned two other 4th place finishes in Carling races on Aug. 23rd and Sept. 6th. He was fourth overall in the final points tally for the season.

1977

1977 was Kershaw's greatest season in which he drove the Island Racemasters '74 Nova. The car was owned by John Edgett, Phil Bickle and George. Harvey Chipper was the team manager with Dave Smith and Jim Tweedhope the builders, mechanics and crew. The Carling Opener saw a 10th place finish after running 2nd and getting spun out. The following day in Langley, Gary set a new track record and won the Main Event. On June 29, he ran the NASCAR Winston Victoria 100 race. He was 4th fast, won the dash and won the Main. He was the first Canadian to win in the 23 year history of Winston West NASCAR. The two July IDC races saw a 2nd and 10th place finish in the 38 car field. He won the Main in both Carling races in July at Western and at Langley. His crew also won the pit stop competition. Set track record and was 2nd overall in S.S. points. Qualified 2nd for Canada 200 and won the race. Also was 2nd in the Langley race the following day (Sept. 11).^[3]

1978

In 1978 Kershaw and his crew traveled to Yakima and finished 8th in the WGN NASCAR race. He ran that series in Victoria on June 28 and was 4th. The two IDC races saw a 2nd and an 8th place finish in the Main Events. He competed in the Gold Cup Trail Series on Aug. 12th and set fast time and came 2nd in the Main Event.

George gained prestige throughout the Pacific Northwest as he competed in the various races at different locations and was always a top contender wherever he appeared.

See also

• List of Canadians in NASCAR

References