# Jimmy Horton

James Horton III (born July 3, 1956) is an American businessman who owns a radiator and chassis shop after a Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame career racing dirt modifieds. He raced in 48 NASCAR Winston Cup races in eight seasons. 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.

## Racing career
### Local racer

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. Horton won the most races on Bridgeport's 5/8 mile track (before it was reconfigured as a 4/10 mile in 2020). 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. He is still racing in weekly races at as of 2022.
Horton was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 2017, into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 2024, and into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

### NASCAR

Horton made his first NASCAR start in the Busch Grand National series in 1985. 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, while Horton walked out of the wreck virtually unscathed.

### ARCA

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. He used a NASCAR Chevrolet Lumina purchased from Darrell Waltrip for the victory. 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

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

## Motorsports career results
### NASCAR

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

#### Winston Cup Series

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 | |
| 1988 | S & H Racing | 80 | Ford | 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 | |
| 1989 | S & H Racing | 80 | 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 | |
| 1990 | S & H Racing | 80 | Ford | DAY 37 | RCH | CAR | ATL | DAR | BRI | NWS | MAR | TAL DNQ | CLT 23 | DOV 20 | SON | POC 39 | MCH | DAY DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36th | 756 | |
| 1990 | Hendrick Motorsports | 17 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DAY 17 | POC | TAL 13 | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36th | 756 |
| 1990 | S & H Racing | 80 | Pontiac | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DOV 30 | MAR | NWS | | | | ATL 35 | | | | | | | | 36th | 756 | |
| 1990 | Group 44 | 44 | Pontiac | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CLT 23 | CAR | PHO | | | | | | | | | | 36th | 756 |
| 1991 | S & H Racing | 80 | Chevy | DAY DNQ | RCH | CAR | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NA | - | |
| 1991 | S & H Racing | 80 | 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 | | | | | | | | NA | - | |
| 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 | |
| 1993 | Active Motorsports | 32 | Chevy | 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 | |
| 1993 | Hover Motorsports | 80 | Ford | | | | | | | | | | | | DOV DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | RCH DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38th | 841 | |
| 1994 | Hover Motorsports | 80 | Ford | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 1995 | Hendrick Motorsports | 58 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ATL QL$^†$ | | | | 61st | 61 | |
| 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 | - | |
| $^†$ - Qualified but replaced by Jeff Purvis ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

##### Daytona 500

| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
| 1988 | S & H Racing | Ford | DNQ | DNQ |
| 1989 | S & H Racing | Pontiac | DNQ | DNQ |
| 1990 | S & H Racing | Ford | 40 | 37 |
| 1991 | S & H Racing | Chevrolet | DNQ | DNQ |
| 1993 | Active Motorsports | Chevrolet | 29 | 25 |
| 1994 | Hover Motorsports | Ford | 28 | 19 |

#### Busch Series

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 |
| 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 |
| 1986 | S & H Racing | 85 | Pontiac | 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 |
| 1987 | S & H Racing | 85 | 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 |
| 1988 | S & H Racing | 85 | Buick | 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 | - |
| 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 | - |

### ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series

(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 |
| 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 | - |
| 1989 | S & H Racing | 80 | 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 | - |
| 1990 | S & H Racing | 80 | Pontiac | 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 | - |
| 1991 | S & H Racing | 80 | Chevy | DAY 4 | ATL 34 | KIL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 61st | - |
| 1991 | S & H Racing | 80 | Pontiac | | | | TAL 1* | TOL | FRS | POC | MCH | KIL | FRS | DEL | POC | TAL | HPT | MCH | ISF | TOL | DSF | TWS | ATL | | 61st | - |
| 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 | - |
| 1993 | Active Motorsports | 32 | Chevy | DAY 37 | FIF | TWS | TAL | KIL | CMS | FRS | TOL | POC 2 | MCH 27 | FRS | POC 19 | KIL | ISF | DSF | TOL | SLM | WIN | ATL | | | 44th | - |
| 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 |
| 1994 | Ken Schrader Racing | 52 | Olds | | | FIF 5 | LVL | KIL | TOL | FRS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 53rd | 1045 |
| 1995 | Ken Schrader Racing | 52 | 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 |