Ricky James Crowned Overall Champion of 2008 West Coast Pro Truck Series
Chris
- March 02 2009
- 2,000 views
- 25 comments
James Records a “Hat Trick” By Claiming All 3 Championships in His Rookie Year
Oceanside, CA (March 2, 2009) –Ricky James, the 20-year old paraplegic from Murrieta, CA capped-off an amazing 2008 by taking the overall points and championship in the West Coast Pro Trucks series.
In his rookie year, James recorded an amazing “hat trick”, clinching the 2008 Rookie of the Year award, the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale Championship and the overall West Coast Pro Truck Championship for 2008. Ricky accomplished this by putting his truck on pole in 10 of 12 races, recording 3 wins, nine top-3 finishes and 2 track records in qualifying (Blythe and Lake Havasu).
The delay on announcing the Overall Championship comes after an infraction occurred during the last race of the season from the driver closest in points to James in the overall championship chase. After numerous hearings, the driver was charged with an infraction, sewing up the series for Ricky.
“I can’t think of a better way to top-off all the amazing opportunities and experiences I had in 2008”said James. “With everything I’ve achieved since my accident, racing cars is my biggest passion and I hope to make a career out of it”. I can’t thank all the people surrounding me enough in helping me achieve everything I did this year. I couldn’t of done it without the help of my parents, my trainer David Bailey, my Crew (Dean Kuhn, Steve Durler and Kenny Pariza), Bill Vukanovich and Casey Coughlin at SoCal SuperTrucks, Metal Mulisha Energy Drinks, Oakley, Alpinestars, Shoei Helmets, Shift MX, Motul Lubricants, ZLT, Total Power Batteries, Certified Transmissions, J & M Auto Body, PPG Paints, Ironman, NBC Sports, NXTagency, Colours Wheelchairs, Brad Meinzer at ParaPro’s Racing, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Road 2 Recovery Foundation, KTM motorcycles, Fasstco, Sports, Sports Quest, RacingPlus.com and Xterra Wetsuits.
For 2009, Ricky will take his racing career to the next level by competing in the NASCAR Whelen Late-Model Series at Irwindale Speedway. 2009 will be spent developing a new style of hand control and getting some seat time with his eye on a full 2010 racing season in the Late Model division.
Ricky James was well on his way to fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a Supercross champion, when life took a drastic turn. Four years ago, at just 16 years old, he was injured in a Motocross accident on the track at one of the largest Amateur National races in the country. The blow to his T7 vertebrae left him paralyzed from his sternum down. Today at 20, he’s deftly navigating the new terrain of his life.
Mere days after the accident, James declared that he would ride again. In 2007 he competed in the SCORE International Baja 500 in Ensenada Mexico. Completing his grueling 120 mile leg in 4 hours made him the first paraplegic to ever attempt this race on a 2 wheeled dirt bike.
Then came 2008… Besides his amazing achievements in stock car racing, he earned a Silver Medal at the 2008 X Games 14 and competed in the 2008 Ironman World Triathlon Championship in Kona, HI., the most demanding and prestigious sporting event known to mankind , where he was documented by NBC Sports and completed in 12 hours and 44 minutes in his first attempt. A month later, he won the Overall Half Ironman World Championship in Clearwater, FL.
Ricky continues to be a spokesperson for the Life Rolls On Foundation and Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) where he has participated in numerous National commercials, speaking engagements and Public Service Announcements. James is a true inspiration to all he touches and continues to spread his belief and testimony that, through Perseverance, anything is possible.
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March 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
impressive but not a fan.. cocky
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:53 pm
the guys a parapalegic cut him a break you a.h.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Haha.
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Congratulations on a great season Ricky! Best of luck for ‘09!!!
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 pm
who ever wrote the 1st comment i would like to see you comeback from a spinal cord injury…if it wasn’t for ricky i would likely still be complaining about my sci. today i am still riding and racing my quad, playing wheelchair basketball, etc. ricky is the man and my hero!!! the day he’s racing nascar is the day i actually watch it.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
dont be pissed because the kids got nore balls then you could ever imagine. Great job Ricky, keep it up.
March 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Ricky James is the MAN!
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Wonder who’s really better at NASCAR; Ricky J or Ricky C?
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
i knooo him…my dad painted his truck
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 am
I wonder how he controls throttle and brakes. I would think controlling steering is tough enough on its own.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:05 am
the first guy that posted is an idiot, give Ricky a break man. good job!
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:33 am
… Your a idiot. I wish a worse injury to occur to you. Then for people to use internet as a form of cheap jabs rather than a encouraging means of communication. Cocky? Im fully capable of walking and running yet I have not competed in a Baja 500, or any form of Ironman. Or won a ironman. I have never been crowned rookie of the year in any thing, or compete in any form of vehicle racing. Or won any form of championship. Ive never been on the main page of TWMX multiple times either. Yet im cocky just being a plain average joe who likes 3 or more cups of coffee each morning at work. If i won any of those events, let alone all of them, u can bet all ur money i would be cocky. Especially if i bounced back from a spinal injury, with a positive perspective on life, I would be the cockiest person ever. I sure don’t see a chip on Rj’s shoulder or any form of jaded like traits. Nor a cocky vibe. His outlook on life is unlike no other person alive.
A true inspiration Ricky james is and will forever be
RJ, your one badass. Id buy you a beer any time
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 am
that would be a good one to see. Ricky c def has more money behind him but if they were in the same trucks i think ricky j
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
Ricky,
We couldn’t be more proud what you have been able to accomplish in the last few years. If someone would have told me 4 years ago when you were first hurt that we would be celebrating a championship in anything I would have told them they were nuts. I’m probably even more proud of the example you have displayed to everyone that with “Perseverance” you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.
And thanks to all you moto fans that recognize and appreciate what Ricky has done. I wasn’t much of a NASCAR fan myself until we started racing it and like watching RC and JS race supercross it’s much harder than it looks to be at the top of your game.
Love ya son,
Mom and Dad
March 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
When Rj gets his speed debut in 2010, you can guarentee i will get my google on to find out Speeds coverage and tune in to my newly found favoite truck/car racer
As well, if you ever need a cheap rate on rooms along your travels and there is a fairmont or raffle near you or in ur target destination… My friends and family rate is unbelievable and extends to all properties labled Fairmont or Raffles. Im currently in Jasper Alberta Canada, but can book any where using the provided internet access I am granted. That being said, I would deffinately like to offer any assistance I can to help out this young mans financial problems, if there is any. Or if you awnt to book a night or 2 for ur folks or ur self… Im sure you already have a agent or some person along those lines booking where you stay, or you lug around a 5th wheel. Either or, the offer is out there. TWMX has my work email, so if you want to look into any thing, send me a email.
I can arrange robes, newpapers, ur favorite breakfast/lunch/dinner waiting for you in ur room apon arrivakl. COuld be a nice novelty change of pace along your stressful race schedule.
If I don’t hear from you, I wish you RJ and your family the best of luck in 2009
Cheers Chief !
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Nicely worded!
March 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Family is #1….Thats why I love the motocross community!
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
ricky is incredibly talented and driven and i give him all the credit in the world for doing what he has done since his injury.. i’ve just seen certain instances where he has been a bit snobby thats all i am saying.. that being said congradulations ricky james and good luck in the future, i appologize
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Ricky uses his left hand to control the throttle and brake which is next to the steering wheel, you push down for the gas and froward for the brake. It’s the type he drives with in his everyday car. All the steering is done with only his right hand, pretty tough when your going 80mph in the turns with the wall on the outside inches away and another truck inside of you inches away and your sliding. A spin is even more difficult with one hand to try to control a 2800lb truck.
We are working on a new system for the Late Model car where he can have both hands on the wheel except when he shifts, the truck was an automatic, this car is a stick. He’ll push on the steering wheel to apply the brakes and pull on a ring behind the wheel for the gas allowing him to steer, brake and gas it with his left hand while he’s grabbing 4th gear on a start or restart, it will take some getting used to. Oh yeah he will have dirt bike clutch lever mounted on the stick shift to operate the clutch.
824 Dad
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Amazing person
March 3rd, 2009 at 11:49 pm
truly inspiring. best of luck to you throughout your career!
September 29th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
QiNhZK I want to say - thank you for this!
September 30th, 2009 at 11:59 am
1CVw9d I want to say - thank you for this!
October 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
all good things
October 3rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
site best