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Jimmy Horton

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Jimmy Horton
BornJames Horton III
(1956-07-03) July 3, 1956 (age 68)
Folsom, New Jersey, U.S.
Modified racing career
Debut season1972
Car number43
Wins457
Championship titles
1989 New York State Fair Champion[1]
2006 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour (South)
Awards
1990 EMPA Al Holbert National Driver of the Year[2]
NASCAR Cup Series career
48 races run over 8 years
Best finish36th (1990)
First race1987 Miller High Life 500 (Pocono)
Last race1995 UAW-GM Teamwork 500 (Pocono)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
7 races run over 4 years
Best finish47th (1987)
First race1985 Goody's 300 (Daytona)
Last race1989 Gatorade 200 (Darlington)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
ARCA Menards Series career
35 races run over 8 years
First race1988 Daytona ARCA 200
Last race1995 Atlanta Motor Speedway
First win1990 Daytona ARCA 200
Last win1995 Atlanta Motor Speedway
Wins Top tens Poles
8 15 4

James "Jimmy" Horton III (born July 3, 1956) is a businessman who owns a radiator and chassis shop after a Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame career racing dirt modifieds.[3] He raced in 48 NASCAR Winston Cup races in eight seasons.[4] He was a regular on the ARCA circuit in the 1980s and 1990s. Horton has won many of the most noted races for dirt track modifieds in the Northeastern United States.

On March 1, 2024, Horton acquired Art's Radiator and Welding in Flemington, New Jersey, a well known sponsor in dirt modifieds and chassis and automotive parts supplier, from the Lentini family.[5] Art's is a well known sponsor in the region.

Racing career

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Horton's No. 3 dirt Modified
Horton's No. 3 dirt Modified

Local racer

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Horton first became known as a modified racecar driver in the Northeastern United States. He began racing in a small block powered sportsman car owned by his father, in the early 1970s. He won the sportsman championship at Orange County Speedway in 1974.

He has won a plethora of modified and sportsman championships at numerous tracks. He was the 1976 Modified champion at Orange County driving his dad's No. 43 and won it again in 2017 driving the Halmar Racing No. 43. That season, he was involved in one of the rare dead heat modified feature wins along with fellow future NASCAR racer Tighe Scott. It was the first race of a twin 50 feature and it was too close to call. Scott and Horton's cars collided after the race. After 1976 he started racing in the No. 3 Statewide dirt modified. He won track championships at Bridgeport Speedway (NJ) in 1975, 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1997, 1998, 2003 and, 2014.[6] Horton won the most races on Bridgeport's 5/8 mile track (before it was reconfigured as a 4/10 mile in 2020).[7] He is a 2-time winner of the premier race in dirt modified racing, the Super DIRT Week 200 (1987 & 1994). He won the Eastern States 200 in his later career. He won modified track championships at New Egypt Speedway (NJ) in 2004 and 2006.[8][9] He is still racing in weekly races at as of 2022.[10]

Horton was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 2017, and into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 2024.[11][12]

NASCAR

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Horton made his first NASCAR start in the Busch Grand National series in 1985.[4] He raced in seven Busch races in his career.

Most of his career Winston Cup starts were at tracks in the Northeastern United States for underfunded teams, but Horton made two starts (and a relief driver appearance) at Hendrick Motorsports in 1990 when Darrell Waltrip was injured during final practice for the Firecracker 400. Horton's two starts for Hendrick were in the two July restrictor plate races—Daytona and Talladega, and also participated as a relief driver at the second Pocono race. Horton started 41st in the Firecracker (had to move to the rear of the field because of the driver change) at Daytona race, and finished 17th. He finished a career best 13th in the summer race at Talladega, the second of the two races in Hendrick's Tide #17 Chevrolet. (Greg Sacks drove the car, except for Sarel van der Merwe at Watkins Glen, until Darlington, when Waltrip was cleared to return.)

Horton was involved in a major crash during the 69th lap of the 1993 DieHard 500. Horton's car was clipped by Stanley Smith's car. Horton's car hit three other cars before it flew over the wall and landed on an access road outside of the track. Smith suffered near-fatal head injuries in the incident,[13] while Horton walked out of the wreck virtually unscathed.

ARCA

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Horton won numerous ARCA races, including the series premiere event, the Daytona ARCA 200, in 1990 and 1992. The 1992 victory was his seventh superspeedway victory, which at the time was the second most in series history.[14] He used a NASCAR Chevrolet Lumina purchased from Darrell Waltrip for the victory.[14] Horton escaped serious injury after a frightening crash at Atlanta in 1995. Horton's #52 AC Delco Chevrolet rolled over during a multi-car accident. His car was struck from the bottom while rolling by teammate Ed Dixon. Incredibly, neither driver was seriously injured.

Personal life

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His son Jimmy Horton IV (born March 2, 1987) raced Modifieds for his Grandfather at New Egypt Speedway (NJ) and Bridgeport Speedway (NJ).[9]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

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NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NWCC Pts Ref
1987 S & H Racing 80 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR NWS BRI MAR TAL CLT DOV POC
21 		RSD MCH DAY POC
33 		TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR RSD ATL
DNQ 		67th 164 [15]
1988 DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL
DNQ 		DAR
18 		BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		CLT
31 		DOV
34 		RSD POC
18 		MCH
DNQ 		DAY
DNQ 		POC
29 		TAL GLN MCH
DNQ 		BRI DAR
37 		RCH DOV
20 		MAR CLT NWS CAR
DNQ 		PHO ATL
32 		41st 647 [16]
1989 Pontiac DAY
DNQ 		CAR ATL
13 		RCH DAR
32 		BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		CLT DOV
31 		SON POC
37 		MCH DAY POC
33 		TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR PHO ATL 46th 377 [17]
1990 Ford DAY
37 		RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		CLT
23 		DOV
20 		SON POC
39 		MCH DAY
DNQ 		36th 756 [18]
Hendrick Motorsports 17 Chevy DAY
17 		POC TAL
13 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH
S & H Racing 80 Pontiac DOV
30 		MAR NWS ATL
35
Group 44 44 Pontiac CLT
23 		CAR PHO
1991 S & H Racing 80 Chevy DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR NA - [19]
Ford ATL
DNQ 		DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV
DNQ 		SON POC MCH
DNQ 		DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV
DNQ 		MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL
1992 Active Motorsports 32 Chevy DAY CAR RCH ATL
26 		DAR BRI NWS
DNQ 		MAR TAL CLT DOV
22 		SON POC
34 		MCH
26 		DAY POC
34 		TAL GLN MCH
38 		BRI DAR RCH
31 		DOV MAR
DNQ 		NWS CLT CAR
34 		PHO ATL
24 		39th 660 [20]
1993 DAY
25 		CAR RCH
DNQ 		ATL
27 		DAR BRI NWS
DNQ 		MAR TAL
36 		SON CLT
25 		POC
37 		MCH
41 		DAY
38 		NHA POC
26 		TAL
39 		GLN MCH
38 		BRI DAR DOV
22 		MAR NWS CLT CAR
34 		PHO ATL
38 		38th 841 [21]
Hover Motorsports 80 Ford DOV
DNQ 		RCH
DNQ
1994 DAY
19 		CAR RCH ATL
DNQ 		DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		SON CLT DOV POC MCH
DNQ 		DAY NHA POC TAL IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL 62nd 106 [22]
1995 Junior Johnson & Associates 27 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC
34 		MCH DAY NHA POC TAL IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO 61st 61 [23]
Hendrick Motorsports 58 Chevy ATL
QL†
1998 ISM Racing 35 Pontiac DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL CLT DOV RCH MCH POC SON NHA POC
DNQ 		IND GLN MCH BRI NHA DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT TAL DAY PHO CAR ATL NA - [24]
† - Qualified but replaced by Jeff Purvis
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1988 S & H Racing Ford DNQ
1989 Pontiac DNQ
1990 Ford 40 37
1991 Chevrolet DNQ
1993 Active Motorsports Chevrolet 29 25
1994 Hover Motorsports Ford 28 19

Busch Series

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NASCAR Busch Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 NBSC Pts Ref
1985 S & H Racing 85 Pontiac DAY
41 		CAR HCY BRI MAR DAR SBO LGY DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO LGY HCY MLW BRI DAR RCH NWS ROU CLT HCY CAR MAR 94th 40 [25]
1986 DAY
15 		CAR
30 		HCY MAR BRI DAR SBO LGY JFC DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO RAL OXF SBO HCY LGY ROU BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR ROU CLT CAR MAR 62nd 191 [26]
1987 Buick DAY
28 		HCY MAR DAR
30 		BRI LGY SBO CLT
37 		DOV IRP ROU JFC OXF SBO HCY RAL LGY ROU BRI JFC DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT CAR MAR 47th 204 [27]
1988 DAY
DNQ 		HCY CAR MAR DAR BRI LNG NZH SBO NSV CLT DOV ROU LAN LVL MYB OXF SBO HCY LNG IRP ROU BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT CAR MAR NA - [28]
1989 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Chevy DAY CAR MAR HCY DAR BRI NZH SBO LAN NSV CLT DOV ROU LVL VOL MYB SBO HCY DUB IRP ROU BRI DAR
16 		RCH DOV MAR CLT CAR MAR 99th - [29]

ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 AHSSC Pts Ref
1988 S & H Racing 80 Ford DAY
25 		ATL TAL FRS PCS ROC POC
23 		WIN KIL ACS SLM POC
4 		TAL DEL FRS ISF DSF SLM ATL
7 		42nd - [30]
1989 Pontiac DAY
5 		ATL
18 		KIL TAL
31 		FRS POC
24 		KIL HAG POC
34 		TAL
DNQ 		DEL FRS ISF TOL DSF SLM ATL
8 		28th - [31]
1990 DAY
1 		ATL
1* 		KIL TAL
1* 		FRS POC
1 		KIL TOL HAG POC
1 		TAL
36 		MCH
31 		ISF TOL DSF WIN DEL ATL
33 		21st - [32]
1991 Chevy DAY
4 		ATL
34 		KIL 61st - [33]
Pontiac TAL
1* 		TOL FRS POC MCH KIL FRS DEL POC TAL HPT MCH ISF TOL DSF TWS ATL
1992 Active Motorsports 32 Chevy DAY
1 		FIF TWS TAL
38 		TOL KIL POC MCH FRS KIL NSH DEL POC HPT FRS ISF TOL DSF TWS SLM ATL 94th - [34]
1993 DAY
37 		FIF TWS TAL KIL CMS FRS TOL POC
2 		MCH
27 		FRS POC
19 		KIL ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL 44th - [35]
1994 Ken Schrader Racing 52 Chevy DAY TAL
4 		MCH
27 		DMS POC POC KIL FRS INF I70 ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL
2 		53rd 1045 [36]
Olds FIF
5 		LVL KIL TOL FRS
1995 Chevy DAY ATL
1 		TAL
39 		FIF KIL FRS MCH
8 		I80 MCS FRS POC POC KIL FRS SBS LVL ISF DSF SLM WIN ATL
33 		42nd 845 [37]

References

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  1. ^ "Syracuse Mile". The Post-Standard. May 13, 1994. p. 119. Retrieved February 8, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive.
  2. ^ "Al Holbert EMPA National Driver of the Year". Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Siano, Joseph. "Experience Is Lacking", The New York Times, February 18, 1990. Accessed September 30, 2007. "Last week, the race winner, Jimmy Horton of Folsom, N.J., said the accidents probably were a result of drivers' inexperience at Daytona."
  4. ^ a b Driving statistics, Retrieved September 27, 2007
  5. ^ Swanson, Buffy. "Jimmy Horton's Ready to Take His Place in the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame". Race Pro Weekly. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Bridgeport Speedway Past Champions (1973-2006) Archived August 26, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved September 26, 2007
  7. ^ "2020 Danny Serrano 100 Weekend". Bridgeport Speedway. September 27, 2020. Event occurs at 3:19. FloRacing.
  8. ^ New Egypt Speedway website, Point Champions section of Standings page Archived October 16, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved September 26, 2007
  9. ^ a b Who's The Next Big Deal in Dirt Modified Racing[permanent dead link‍]; Area Auto Racing News; October 3, 2006; by Brett Deyo; Retrieved September 27, 2007
  10. ^ "Bridgeport Speedway 6.28.20 (subscription required)". Speedshift TV. June 28, 2020. FloRacing. Speedshift TV.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ Modestino, Lou (October 25, 2017). "Four elected to NY State Stock Car Assn. HOF". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  12. ^ "Horton &Tompkins Selected To NE Dirt Modified Hall of Fame". Speed Sport. January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  13. ^ Zenor, John (June 9, 2001). "Former Winston Cup driver Smith leaves horrid accident in past". Arizona Daily Sun. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  14. ^ a b Horton Wins At Daytona, February 9, 1992 The New York Times; Retrieved September 26, 2007
  15. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  16. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  17. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  18. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  19. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  20. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  21. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  22. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  23. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  24. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  25. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1985 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  26. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1986 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  27. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1987 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  28. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1988 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  29. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1989 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  30. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1988 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  31. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  32. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1990 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  33. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  34. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  35. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  36. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
  37. ^ "Jimmy Horton – 1995 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
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