This months showcase driver for the ministock class is Jim Walter Jr.

A little about Jim Walter Jr. 1. Tell us about your self.... Jims Answer: I grew up in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. I currently live in Jeffersonville but the shop remains in Floyds Knobs. I have 2 wonderful children: Dylan – 8 and Olivia – 6. 2. How did you get interested in racing and how long have you been racing? Jim's Answer: I have been around racing all my life. I can’t remember a time when my dad didn’t have some sort of race vehicle, whether it be go-karts or stock cars. I started racing mini-stocks on asphalt in 1992 at Charlestown Motor Speedway (now closed).

3. Tell us about your current race car.

Jim's Answer: I drive a Ford Mustang in the Mini-Stock class. It was built by my dad and I and has been an ongoing project over the past several years. I have raced the same car since 1999 although some significant changes have been made over the years.

Jims Minstock Car #81

4. Where is your home track?

Jim's Answer: I race primarily at Thunder Valley Raceway in Salem, Indiana

5. What tracks have you raced at?

Jim's Answer:

I have raced at:

Thunder Valley Raceway
Osgood Fairgrounds
Lawrenceburg Speedway
Twin Cities Raceway Park
Charlestown Motor Speedway – now closed
Louisville Motor Speedway – now closed

6. Is there any tracks you haven’t raced at that you would like to race at?

Jim's Answer: I am anxious to go back to Lawrenceburg Speedway with the announced changes. I am also planning on checking out Bakersfield Raceway Park in Linton, Indiana

7. What are your racing career highlights?

Jim's Answer:

2007 – Thunder Valley Raceway - 9 feature wins including 7 in a row – Track Champion
2006 – Thunder Valley Raceway - 2 feature wins – 2nd in points
2005 – Thunder Valley Raceway - 2 feature wins – 10th in points
1999 – Salem Speedway - Championship Crew Chief when my brother won the Salem Dash Series Championship
1992 – Charlestown Motor Speedway - 3rd in Points, Rookie of the year

8. Is there anyone who has inspired you in racing?

Jim's Answer:

It would have to be my dad, he has always had some sort of race car and we always had fun when he was racing.

9. Who is your favorite driver and why? (this can be someone famous or someone local)

Jim's Answer:.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. – He was always a hard charger and he had an awesome looking car.

10. Who do you credit for being able to race today? (ie. can be sponsor, support people, etc.)

Jim's Answer:
If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today. He has supported me a lot both with time and money. My brother is also a big help at times.

I also have to thank my diehard fans: my kids, Dylan and Olivia; my girlfriend Angela and her 2 boys, Travis and Connor; Aunt Jodie, Uncle Chuck, and Timmie.

They are there cheering me on week in and week out whether it’s 110 degrees or 30 degrees.

Jim Pictured above with his children

11. What win or award do you cherish the most and why?

Jim's Answer: I would have to say the Championship we just won because I know the time and effort we have put into the car and it’s nice to have it pay off, along with the fact that we barely lost the championship last year.

12. Have you made any mistakes in racing that you have learned from and would like to share as a learning experience for everyone? ..(ie that may help another driver getting in to racing).

Jim's Answer:

When I started racing dirt, I was a bit over-aggressive and spent a lot of time repairing damage to the car rather than trying to make the car better.

13. What are your plans for 2008?

Jim's Answer: I plan on defending my championship at Thunder Valley as well running some other tracks such as Lawrenceburg, Twin Cities and Bakersfield Raceway Park. We are in the process of building another car so we don’t have to change the setup on the Thunder Valley car.

14. If you had one piece of advice to pass on to a rookie driver, what would it be?

Jim's Answer:
I’m gonna give 2: Patience and Build it right the first time.

First you must finish, then you can finish first!

Jim pictured above at Thunder Valley- two of his feature wins.

Visit Jim's website to keep up on his progress! http://www.freewebs.com/jwmotorsports

Thanks Jim from the Dirt Scoops Group!