James Tracey is the
newest driver on Michael and Denise Vaters’ Black Stallion team although he has
been a part of the crew team, most recently crew chief, since he was 18 years
old. Tracey also competes in drag races and has experience in tough truck
competitions, including running tough trucks for Monster Jam competitions in
his hometown of Hagerstown, MD.
Q&A with James Tracey
MonsterJam.com:
How did you get started competing on
the Monster Jam circuit?
James Tracey:
I started out on Mike Vaters’ Black Stallion
crew than moved up to crew chief and shop manager. We acquired a third truck last year and have
been working on it making changes and modifications. I competed at a couple of
events in the summer of 2010 and in 2011 started out in the Monster Jam series.
MonsterJam.com:
What do you enjoy doing while on the
road with Monster Jam?
James Tracey:
So far, one thing I have enjoyed
the most was in 2011 when I beat three of the best trucks on the circuit in one
show: Grave Digger the Legend, Grave Digger, and Maximum Destruction.
MonsterJam.com:
What do you do with your free time?
James Tracey:
I work as a mechanic as well as with the Black
Stallion team. I like to drag race and
ride horses. I enjoy spending time with my son “little Jimmy.”
MonsterJam.com:
What is your greatest memory as a
monster truck driver?
James Tracey:
The first time that I was competing at a show and got to launch the
truck off of a bus stack.
MonsterJam.com:
Do you have any pre-show rituals that
you run though?
James Tracey:
I just check the truck over.
MonsterJam.com:
If you were not competing on the
Monster Jam tour, what career path would you follow?
James Tracey:
I can’t imagine doing anything else besides working on and tinkering
with cars and trucks.
MonsterJam.com:
What’s your favorite food?
James Tracey:
Steak and potatoes.
MonsterJam.com:
What’s your favorite television show?
James Tracey:
Orange County Choppers, Sons of Gunus
MonsterJam.com:
What’s your favorite movie?
James Tracey:
Step Brothers, Grumpy Old Men. I like comedies.
MonsterJam.com:
What’s your favorite color?
James Tracey:
Yellow.
TRUCK
INFO
Body:
Concept truck flat nosed bus
Chassis:
custom built by Vaters’ Motorsports
Engine
size: 540 CI big block Ford,
Blown/Alcohol injected
Transmission: C-6 with pro-fab transfer case
Shocks:
3” diameter King shocks with 26” of travel designed by Vaters’ Motorsports
Sponsors:
Ford Racing, Safety-Kleen, Miller welders, K&N Performance Filters,
A&C Racing Engines, Alto, ARP, BDS, Cloyes, Cometic Gaskets, Dayco Belts,
Fluidyne, Go Pro cameras, Harland Sharp, JE Pistons, Jomar, King Shocks, King
Engine Bearings, L&L Hydraulics, Maier, Makita, Manton, Melling, Milodon,
Moser Engineering, MSD, Neal Chance Converters, NGK Spark Plugs, Oliver Racing
Parts, Optima Batteries, Piloti, PPG Paint, Pro Parts, Pro Werks, Radial
Bearings, Safety Solutions, SSBC Brakes, Teamtech, Total Seal, Truck Toyz,
Valco
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