Catchfence

The first thought, the most logical thought, when I heard an 81-year old is going to race this NASCAR weekend was this: Sure is going to look funny, having that handicapped parking sticker on the window of a stock car. An 81-year old racing in NASCAR is like a 13-year old named the Dean Of Students at Harvard, the task a bit beyond the reach of the participant.

And then I saw Hershel McGriff Wednesday. Oh my. Maybe 81 is the new 60. Eighty-one? Come on. If Hershel is 81, then I am Chinese acrobat. Hershel has a full head of hair, 20-20 vision and mental acuity sharp as a steak knife. While he may not have the body of a Chippendale dancer, Hershel is not a Slim Fast ad waiting to happen either. He weighs 197 pounds, just 17 pounds heavier than when he was in his prime.

So, I want what Hershel is having.

And that would be Pilates.

- Santa Rosa Press Democrat