Racing Through Crisis: The Winston West Series in the Shadow of the Oil Embargo
Thu Feb 05 2026
This episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports Series, looks back at a transformative period in American motorsports during the mid-1970s to 1979, guided by Dr. Daniel J. Simone. The episode explores how the OPEC oil embargo challenged and eventually reshaped racing, focusing on the NASCAR Winston West Series. Various significant drivers, such as Ray Elder, Jimmy Insolo, and Herschel McGriff, are highlighted alongside the struggles and triumphs of west coast racing teams. The narrative also covers the impact of the environmental movement on racing and the importance of regional talents in shaping the national scene. The episode concludes with the legacies left by these drivers and the changes in racing dynamics heading into the 1980s.
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00:00 NASCAR Winston West Series: A Turbulent Era
01:55 The 1975 Racing Season: Challenges and Changes
03:31 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division: Early Days
04:18 Riverside International Raceway: A Hub of Motorsports
04:50 The Evolution of NASCAR Winston West Series
05:26 Key Drivers and Their Legacies
06:19 Ray Elder: A Racing Legend
09:05 Herschel McGriff: The Age-Defying Lumberman
13:03 The 1976 Season: New Challenges and Opportunities
16:32 The Rise of New Champions
26:02 The 1979 Season: A Benchmark Year
35:32 The Legacy of the Winston West Series
39:57 Conclusion and Acknowledgements
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The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net
More Information: Visit Our Website
Become a VIP at: Patreon
Online Magazine: Gran Touring
Follow us on Social: Instagram
This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.
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This episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports Series, looks back at a transformative period in American motorsports during the mid-1970s to 1979, guided by Dr. Daniel J. Simone. The episode explores how the OPEC oil embargo challenged and eventually reshaped racing, focusing on the NASCAR Winston West Series. Various significant drivers, such as Ray Elder, Jimmy Insolo, and Herschel McGriff, are highlighted alongside the struggles and triumphs of west coast racing teams. The narrative also covers the impact of the environmental movement on racing and the importance of regional talents in shaping the national scene. The episode concludes with the legacies left by these drivers and the changes in racing dynamics heading into the 1980s. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 NASCAR Winston West Series: A Turbulent Era 01:55 The 1975 Racing Season: Challenges and Changes 03:31 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division: Early Days 04:18 Riverside International Raceway: A Hub of Motorsports 04:50 The Evolution of NASCAR Winston West Series 05:26 Key Drivers and Their Legacies 06:19 Ray Elder: A Racing Legend 09:05 Herschel McGriff: The Age-Defying Lumberman 13:03 The 1976 Season: New Challenges and Opportunities 16:32 The Rise of New Champions 26:02 The 1979 Season: A Benchmark Year 35:32 The Legacy of the Winston West Series 39:57 Conclusion and Acknowledgements ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.