WISCASSET SPEEDWAY DRIVER PROFILE:
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery gallery_type=”thumbnails” theme_id=”1″ gallery_id=”4″ sort_by=”order” image_column_number=”5″ images_per_page=”30″ image_title=”undefined” image_enable_page=”1″ thumb_width=”180″ thumb_height=”90″ popup_width=”800″ popup_height=”500″ popup_effect=”none” popup_interval=”5″ popup_enable_filmstrip=”1″ popup_filmstrip_height=”70″ popup_enable_ctrl_btn=”1″ popup_enable_fullscreen=”1″ popup_enable_comment=”1″ popup_enable_facebook=”1″ popup_enable_twitter=”1″ popup_enable_google=”1″ watermark_type=”none” watermark_link=”0″]
James Osmond #05
By Lisa Maguire
James Osmond has been in the racing business since he was a child. Osmond said, “I have been into things with engines since I was nine. Whether it was dirt bike, ATV’S, or ice racing with the first car I had, a Voltzwagon.”
“I started racing at Wiscasset back in 2005,” said Osmond. “So, I’ve been racing cars for about ten years. I started in Super Street, and I was Rookie of the Year.”
In 2007 Osmond moved to the Late Model division. But, he moved back to Superstock in ’08. Osmond said, “I did all right, but in 2009 went back to Late Models and had about five top wins. It was my best season in Late Models. I also won The Army Strong Driver Award that year”
Osmond took 2010 off and was crew for Josh Bailey. “We had a lot of fun together that year,” said Osmond.
The years of 2011 and 2012 Osmond raced at Unity.
In 2013 Osmond returned to Wiscasset where he raced the Super Stock division. Osmond had five top places finishes, the most in the class. Osmond was awarded the Driver of the Month Award for the month of July, 2013. Then, at season’s close, Osmond won the Driver of the Year Award at Wiscasset. The award spotlights drivers who show a noticed balance of on-track performance, improvement, sportsmanship, and cooperation with track officials.
Track promoter, Ken Minott, said, “The reason we chose James for the Napa Driver of the Year is that he epitomizes what we want a Wiscasset Speedway driver to be. He’s got talent behind the wheel and he wins races. But, that’s only part of it. He’s enthusiastic and eager to learn and get better. More importantly, he displays great sportsmanship. He’s respectful of the other guys on the track with him. He races as hard as anyone out there, but if he knows his car isn’t going to get him to victory lane, he’s gonna get what he can out of it and load it on the trailer in one piece, and let his fellow drivers do the same. I respect that, and it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
“My best finishes were last season,” said Osmond. “I don’t always win because I try to be fair to everyone. If I can’t beat ‘em. I can’t beat ‘em!”
“I did finish in the top five every single race. I have ten trophies from this season alone. It was a good season, and it was a good feeling. The funny thing is that I was going to retire before last season started. Then, I didn’t because I wanted to win at least one race. I didn’t want to fail. I wanted to try it and see if I could get it done.”
When asked about the best races he had competed in over his years of racing, Osmond replied, “The best races are ones I race with my friends: Josh Bailey, Bobby Mesimer, Adam Chadbourne, actually, all of the guys are really friends. We have a good time together.”
Osmond recounted, “Josh Bailey and I were racing back in 2008. We were last and second to last, and we knew we weren’t going to do anything. So, we blocked each other and tried to hold each other back. People thought we were fighting, but we were just laughing about it!”
“Even though we are friends,” said Osmond. “Racing Superstock at Wiscasset is aggressive and competitive. I had to work very hard for my wins, especially against Adam Chadbourne.”
When posed with the question: “When racing, what percentage of your overall success is in the car? The driver? Luck?”
Osmond replied, “The car is huge. There is not much you can do with an ill-handling car. If the car just won’t go, there is nothing you can do. Even the best driver can only do much with a bad car. I would say the car is 50%, the driver 25%, and luck the other 25%.”
Soon the conversation turned to the season of 2014. Osmond said, “I am using the same car this season. I have not made any changes except it is painted white and orange. It is still #05. I do have a new sponsor this year, Paul Garber Construction. Also, Red’s Eats, Cahill Tire, and Drummonds Automotive Equipment are some of my other sponsors.”
When asked about his hopes for the coming season, Osmond had this to say, “I know I won’t have the year I had last year. But, I will be happy with half of what I did last year, or, at least win one more race!”
Even when away from racing, Osmond does follow a training regimen of sorts. In the summer months he lifts weight three times per week, and in winter he cross country skis. Osmond said, “It helps me deal with the heat in the car while driving.”
Osmond is a family man away from the track. He works as an assistant manager at Cahill Tire in Edgecomb. Osmond has been with his wife, Tabatha, for over thirteen years. Osmond said, “We have two children. An eleven year old son named Brett, and a six year old girl named Danika. I try to be active and spend time with my kids. We play basketball or try to relax.”
Wiscasset Speedway offers not only fun for the drivers, but for the fans, and all involved.