Re: SCOTT JAMES.....#83.."The Silver Shark"
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Really a thrill to catch Scott James at Eldora...He was a real pleasure to talk with...
Scott James is 33 yrs old and is from Greendale, Indiana..He runs the #83 Late Model with a Rocket Chassis and a Dargie Engine...He is called the "Silver Shark"...
He told me that his father "Bubby James raced from 1973 to around 1999 and that was what inspired him to be a racer..
Scott started racing Late Models at the age of 25.. He told me that his father had been a big influence on him...
When I asked him what he thought it took to be a good race car driver he told me experience and money and lots of dedication...
When asked what his long term goal was he told me to be the best that he could be...he said everyone should strive to be the best at whatever they do....
He told me his toughest competitor was Don Oneal.. He said he liked racing against him.. He totally believes that racing against Oneal will help him to get to the next level...He said Oneal pushes and pushes himself to be the best that he can be and racing against him only makes you better....
Now here is where it gets a little confusing for me...hope I do it justice Scott....when I asked him if there was anything that he would change if he could he started telling me all kinds of stuff that was way over my head but I will do my best .... I feel that the point that Scott was making was that he feels there needs to better rules for the Late Model.. He told me the tire rules should be changed and that he feels that the motor rules should also be changed.. he feels there should be one compound to make it more fair... and it would have to be policed to make sure all followed the guide lines.. He said that a normal motor for a late model is $30,000 ..said the expenses need to be cut down..He said that the Nascar circuit had better sanctioning bodies and that the Late Model should follow suit... Maybe a Late Model Drivers Union.. He said that he feels there should be a set standard for payouts at races..better pay... more like how the World 100 and the Dream pays................. then he added that maybe he should not have spoke up but I disagreed.... this is the only way things get done...you need to speak your piece .. I am sure others out there agree and I am sure there are those who don't...but we do have freedom to speak the truth and he spoke from the heart for all his fellow racers....
When he was talking with me I had to laugh and tell him ..whoa..slow down...you are talking to a grandma here and you are talking way over my head... I just hope I can relay your message and do you justice....
His most memorable event that stands out from the rest was the 2002 World 100... He said it was a year after the 911 Bombing and the Late Model Drivers went single file around the track each holding the AMERICAN FLAG IN HONOR of the Fallen Hero's... *** I sure wish I had been there to see that...)
In his career some of his accomplishments are winning the Kenny Simpson Memorial Event twice...winning the Ralph Latham Memorial in 2003 .. His best finish so far has been 5th in the 2003 Dream
He wanted to take time to thank Ron Powell...Bob Baylor Trucking...Jeff Franks of Frank's Industry..Dave Welsh of Welsh Excavation....and Mark Richard for getting the race program back on track... and to Mike Darge of Darge Racing Engines..**he added he was very happy with his Darge Engine...said it was very reliable....
He said he wanted to thank his family for all their support and to thank Meghan for being there for him...
His crew consists of him and his father and a group of rotating friends that help him out...
Thankyou so much Scott for talking with me.. I had a lot of fun talking with you... I wish you much success with your career...
cj