Jimmy Sills of Elverta, California began his racing career near his home town in 1973 at West Capital Raceway. Behind the wheel of a dirt super modified, Sills learned the ropes of auto racing early and won his first heat race, trophy dash, and semi-main event just five weeks into his rookie season. One week later the second generation driver became the first rookie to win a main event at the Sacramento track that was so famous for it's tough caliber of competition. From the early days of his racing career, Sills has had the desire to travel to other areas of the country in an attempt to do nothing more than win races. His goal was reached early when in 1974 he won the Northwest Dirt Cup driving a modified against a field of competitive sprintcars. As the Dirt Cup grew into one of the country's most prestigious events he continued to dominate it in 1980, 82, 85, 86, and 89. Once it became obvious that he had the skills to make auto racing his profession, Sills began traveling to the Midwest and the East Coast where the odds are often just as high as the winnings. Scoring victories at various tracks far from home, it took little time for Sills to earn the respect of his fellow racers and car owners alike. Just a few of his early career accomplishments include back to back victories in the Jayhawk Nationals in Kansas City in 1982-83. One year prior to that he won preliminary events at the Knoxville Nationals. In 1988 Sills became the champion of Ohio Speedweek and has since captured a multitude of victories racing with the World of Outlaws in Sacramento, Chico, California, Mesquite Texas, Knoxville Iowa, Rapid City South Dakota, The Indy Mile and in Elbridge New York. During the only full season Sills spent with the Outlaws he finished fourth in the season standings. During his racing career, Sills has traveled as far as Australia 16 times and New Zealand 5 times. Such treks resulted in none other than victories as Sills brought home checkers in the Pan Pacific Championship, the Wornambol Classic and the Queensland State Championship. During his career, Sills has illustrated he is a versatile driver on tracks of every size and every surface. Additionally he has successfully displayed his ability to adapt to different types of machines. From midgets, motorcycles, super modifieds and sprint cars to the powerful championship dirt cars of the United States Auto Club, a series Sills has faired very well in. Sills was first introduced to the champ cars in 1989 on the one-mile dirt track of the California State Fairground in Sacramento. In his first race of the season, Sills placed fast time and fell out of contention in the feature event only due to mechanical woes. That same season Sills went on to earn Rookie of the Year honors in the traveling series. After making his USAC debut, Sills became a dominant force in the series the following year. After a breathtaking victory and the setting of a new track record in Sacramento Sills continued his record setting efforts at events in Milwaukee and Phoenix Arizona. The fruits of his labor led the 42-year-old racing veteran to his first Silver Crown championship in 1990. The next two years, mechanical woes would prevent from Sills from defending his title. However, with consecutive victories in Sacramento, and several bridesmaid finishes, he managed to finish second and third in the season standing. In 1994, Sills returned to the held of the Silver Crown series with the second championship of his career. This title came after posting wins in the Hulman Hundred and the Hoosier 100 at Indianapolis as well as his record breaking third and fourth victory in Sacramento. Since joining the USAC Silver Crown series, Sills has increased his victory list by far. In addition to winning the prestigious Bettenhausen 100, he has placed new track records in Springfield and Duqoin. When ESPN announced they would broadcast live midget racing from Ventura, Sills decided the exposure would be beneficial and took to the wheel in front of race fans throughout the country. Every event that Sills finished in the broadcast series, he did so in victory circle. Jimmy Sills won't give up. When Roseburg Oregon held sprint and midget car races on pavement, Sills gave it a try and won both events in one day. In addition to four wheeled machines Sills has tested his talents on those of a two wheeled nature as well. Racing an outdated '86 Yamaha, he dominated his class in both events he competed in. After winning his 2nd and 3rd Silver Crown title, Sills was invited to test with the International Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway. In his first big track effort, Sills clocked times equal to IROC regulars Ken Schrader, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Steve Kinser. Due to his success, he has been invited by series coordinator Jay Signore to participate in future test sessions. Jimmy won another USAC Silver Crown Title in "96" along with several sprint and midget features. In "2000" Sills concentrated all his efforts toward making the best oval track school in the country. After not racing for three years he went to the Chili Bowl in Tulsa Barely missing a win in the opening night feature. Later that spring Danny Lasoski invited Jimmy to drive his car at Sedelia MO. and Knoxville, IA. He finished third at Sedelia and won the masters classic at Knoxville twice in 2003 and 2004. If a race sounds like fun to him you might see Jimmy strapping into a race car somewhere, otherwise he will be at his school teaching someone the better way of driving an open wheel car on a dirt track. 6 race school packages to meet your racing budget
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