Local man’s love for the race track stronger than ever after 72 years

Paris’ Jim Bray honoured with NASCAR Icon Award, inducted into Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame and was the second Canadian to race in the Daytona 500 back in 1964

By Casandra Turnbull

Not too many people are fortunate enough to say they've spent 72 years chasing and fulfilling their dreams, but Paris resident Jim Bray has done just that and at 90 years of age, there's no end in sight.

Bray was recently honoured by NASCAR with an Icon Award, another milestone in a long list of on-track accomplishments Upon receiving the award, Bray immediately thanked his present pit crew, who he admitted would have led him to a more successful and competitive run as a car owner, if he’d found them earlier in his career.

While he is no longer behind the wheel, those days ended in Dover, Dela., in 1974, Bray is still very much in charge and heavily involved in the racing circuit long after his debut ride in 1952. He currently owns four NASCAR Pinty's Series race cars, with a fifth one under construction. He also cherishes his restored 1960 Ford Starliner.

Success isn’t always measured by the number of checkered flags you achieve, but by the accomplishments, dedication and friendships you savour along the way A couple years ago, Bray was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. Remaining modest, when asked how that felt, he responded "I was honoured but questioned whether I should be there rather than some of the other competitors from the past "

Bray's love for the sport grew when he started to follow the careers of local drivers and Indianapolis 500 drivers. Before long, he found himself behind the wheel of a 1935 Ford Coupe at Pinecrest Speedway in 1952. It was the start of a lifelong passion

Over the course of his career as a driver, Bray competed in a total of 15 cup level NASCAR events.

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Jim’s final race behind the wheel took place at Dover, Dela. in 1974. Pictured above is Jim at that speedway. To the top right, Jim beside his #56 ride during his first Daytona 500 race in 1964. He was the second ever Canadian driver to compete in the famous race. To the right, he gears up for a race in 1963 at Bristol Tennessee. Below, Jim’s other hobby includes piloting airplanes. He could very well be Canada’s oldest licensed pilot! All photos provided by the Bray family

He was the second Canadian ever (behind Richard Foley) to take part in NASCAR'S Daytona 500 famed race as an owner/driver in 1964 and in 1965 as a hired driver for Bobby and Shorty Johns.

“Bobby had a factory Ford deal for '65 so I drove their year-old Pontiac,” Bray recalls. He’s raced alongside US racing icons like Richard Petty, Rex White, David Pearson and Junior Johnson among many others. There has been a lot of memorable races and moments over the decades, but Bray can easily reflect on his favourites.

"I guess the most memorable was Daytona, Riverside California and USAC races at Langhorne, Pa. and the first stock car race at Mosport in 1962 because of the famous racetracks," he answered.

His family has always taken a keen interest in his accomplishments and experiences, but no one followed in his footsteps on the track. He does have a granddaughter who was a world calibre racer – on the water. She won two gold medals in kayaking in the Pan American games in Peru and competed in the 2020 Olympics in Japan, which “Made us very proud of her and the hard work she did over the years to get to where she was,” shared Bray.

Bray celebrated his 90th birthday last month with an open house to mark the occasion. While most people often slow down as they age, Bray is continuing with the pedal to the metal mentality, quite literally.

“As long as I have the mental and physical capabilities and the support of family and teammates, retirement never enters my mind,” he said

Jim owns Jim Bray & Associates Inc, a family-owned dealership of quality trailers with locations in Cainsville, North Bay and Appin. He still works six days a week and insists he’s too old to retire now.

“So, we will keep on racing and selling trailers to support the racing,” he added He said he hopes to have two fulltime NASCAR Pinty’s Series teams running this upcoming season The Pinty’s Series races across Canada.

Jim was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Originally from Long Branch, Ontario, Jim now resides in Paris with his wife, Pam

Bray’s not only a thrill seeker on the ground but in the sky as well He’s quite possibly the oldest licensed pilot in the country, another fun hobby he practices out of the Brantford Municipal Airport.

“Why retire when we are enjoying it all?” he questioned.

Bray moved to Paris in 2006 to be with his wife, Pam While there are far too many people to thank over the span of his racing career, he acknowledged none of it would be possible without the love and support of Pam.

Paris Ringette teams dominate at Niagara Falls Tournament

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Submitted photo