Terrible week for USAC racers. The legendary Jim McElreath passed away today.

So sad to hear of the passing of Jim McElreath. The cool Texan was one I always use to root for and with better equipment in Indy car racing could have been a big winner. RIP Jim and say hi to your son, James, who left us much too soon.

Bruce Eckel

A great racer and even better person.

Correct me if I'm wrong but Jim won the Little 500 in his only start.

A true American Legend

What a guy. He gave about all a guy could give to racing. Running Silver Crown cars against guys half his age, and not getting blown off.

Mario Andretti once told me "Jim could stand on the gas"

High Praise indeed.

A lot of tragedy in that family. RIP Jim. One of the good guys.

Sadly nobody here in Arlington will even understand what was lost. Truly one of the greats, and the patriarch of a family that gave more than should be allowed to racing.

RIP

Really sad to hear this one. Prayers to the McElreath family for sure.

He was one of my favorites. I was there when he made his final start in a Silver Crown car, and sadly also present when his son James perished in a sprint car at Winchester. He was a great racer and a real class act who endured much tragedy in his personal life. RIP, Jim McElreath, you will be much missed and long remembered!

Jimmy was a good guy. And once you got him wound up he could tell the stories.

He was also a mentor to Rutherford in the early IMCA days, traveling the midwest together.

Bart