JIM BAKER....#85
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/13/04
I RAN INTO JIM AND HIS WIFE AT THE BLUEGRASS BASH II ..
THEY WERE A LOT OF FUN TO TALK WITH..
JIM RUNS THE #85 BOMBER AND RACES AT CLAY COUNTY SPEEDWAY IN FLORA...AND IS FROM PALESTINE, ILLINOIS
WHEN ASKING THE QUESTIONS YOU NEVER KNEW WHO WOULD ANSWER..HIM OR HIS WIFE.. YOU CAN TELL THEY ARE A TEAM...
I ASKED JIM WHAT INSPIRED HIM TO START RACING AND HE GAVE THE CREDIT TO HIS BROTHER DAVE....HE TOLD ME THAT DAVE USE TO RUN A MODIFIED AND NOW HE IS INTO DRAG RACING TRUCKS....
HE TOLD ME THAT DOUG McCAMMON HAS HAD A LOT OF INFLUENCE ON HIM DURING HIS RACING CAREER....(you couldn't have anyone any better than Doug McCammon in your corner.. I am wanting to do an interview with Doug if i ever get the chance).
WHEN ASKED WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GOOD DRIVER HE SAID TIME/ EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF FAMILY SUPPORT (and from what I seen...he sure does have that)..AND HIS WIFE ADDED "AND THE WILL TO WIN"...
HE SAID HIS TOUGHERST COMPETITORS WERE JON "BOGIE" BOGARD AND TIM FELDHAKE.
HE TOLD ME THAT HE MAY MOVE UP IN CLASS ONE DAY BUT RIGHT NOW HE IS HAVING A LOT OF FUN RIGHT WHERE HE IS AT..........( and Jim...thats what it is all about..."having fun".
HIS MOST MEMORABLE EVENT SO FAR WAS WINNING HIS FIRST FEATURE ON HIS WIFES BIRTHDAY... (that was a nice birthday present).
ASKED WHO HE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A "SPECIAL THANKS" TO AND HE SAID HIS WIFE (which after seeing the way these two are I would have been surprised if he had not said that). AND TO LEROY...
HIS CREW CHIEF IS HIS UNCLE LEROY BAKER..
SPONSORS ARE TUTTLE GRAIN, T &C REPAIR AND WE COUNTY KAROKE
THANKYOU FOR THE INTERVIEW... YOU WERE A LOT OF FUN TALKING WITH... SEE AT FLORA BEFORE TOO LONG..
GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON JIM...
CJ