Jim Mardis and the Mardis Racing Team Battle for Modified Racing Series Championship

Lucas Oil Modified racer Jim Mardis stays in the battle for championship after LoanMart Arizona 100
Lucas Oil Modified racer Jim Mardis stays in the battle for championship after LoanMart Arizona 100
Speed and youth make a heart racing combination. Add business sense, and you’ve got a racing team leader like Jim Mardis. Introduced to racing at a young age, Jim didn’t sit around and wait until his16th birthday to be a part of racing action. He purchased a go kart at age 12, then his first car - a Ford Pinto - at age 15. Not old enough to race at the time, Jim spent the next year learning how to adjust and improve a race car’s performance.
Jim Mardis and the Bluewater Technologies/JAM Sportswear/K&N Filters/Premier Wraps Modified car
Jim Mardis and the Bluewater Technologies/JAM Sportswear/K&N Filters/Premier Wraps Modified car


In 2002, Jim, age 16, started off strong behind the wheel in the Orange Show Speedway’s Pony Stock Division in San Bernardino, CA. For the next 5 years, Jim balanced the demands of school, work, and racing; finding time when he could to prep his car for the races. In 2006, Jim and the Mardis racing team finished the season as the track champion and won 10 of 13 races. “That was a great accomplishment,” Jim commented, reflecting on his career highlights.

In 2007, 16 year old Jim Mardis entered the Lucas Oil Modified Racing Series. Between 2007-2008, as he built his skills (and rebuilt his car) in the Modified Series, Jim continued racing and winning in the Orange Show Speedway. In 2009, Mardis Racing launched a full attack in open wheel modified racing by entering all events in the Superclean Modified Racing Series. Between the three, Mardis Racing racked up multiple wins, awards and a track record. In 2010, Jim won his first Lucas Oil Rockstar Modified Championship.

Then Jim Mardis truly made history -- twice. In 2011, he won his second Lucas Oil Rockstar Modified Championship, becoming the only driver to ever do so. In 2012 he was recognized as the only driver to capture at least one win each season for the last 4 years. He also won the I-10 Speedway Championship in both 2011 and 2012.
Jim Mardis at LoanMart Arizona 100 Lucas Oil Modified race in Lake Havasu
Jim Mardis at LoanMart Arizona 100 Lucas Oil Modified race in Lake Havasu


Launch forward to March 2013, and we find Jim and the Mardis Racing Team tackling the LoanMart Arizona 100 in Lake Havasu, Arizona. They experimented with a different shock absorber set-up, and ended up qualifying in a less than favorable 19th/33 position. However, as Jim had done through his career, he stepped back to what he knew best, and decided to pick the drivers off one-by-one. By the end of the race he improved to 6th place; enough to keep him in the championship battle. This race was recorded for future broadcast, you can look for Jim as the featured driver to watch in the #51 Bluewater Technologies / JAM Sportswear / K&N Filters / Premier Wraps Modified car.
2011 Lucas Oil Rockstar Modified Champion Jim Mardis
2011 Lucas Oil Rockstar Modified Champion Jim Mardis


Jim’s strength in car building has helped boost him throughout his career. He has used K&N products on his race car for years. When the opportunity came about with Team Lucas to partner with K&N, Jim said “it was a good fit for both of us. K&N products provide great quality and longer life. They are re-useable so they help economically. The air filters flow more air which provides a benefit to help produce more horsepower.” And Jim certainly knows about producing horsepower. Following the March 2nd race, Jim entered the April 6th event at Lucas Oil I-10 Speedway and won. Congratulations Jim, and the Mardis Racing team on an impressive racing career, we look forward to an exciting 2013!

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Related K&N News Articles about Modified Racing: Brooke Kawell Racing Readies for 2013 LOORRS Modified Kart Championship Bid ; K&N is Onboard for the 2013 Lucas Oil Modified Series’ Most Competitive Year Yet; Modified Racer Jason Patison Wins Trophy Dash then Finishes Top 10 at Lake Havasu 95 Speedway