West Valley racer sets sights high

WEST VALLEY CITY — On the surface, what Jimmy Waters has accomplished this summer has a definite look of success to it.

Waters has climbed to fourth place from seventh in the sprint car points standings for Rocky Mountain Raceways and trails leader Ryan Burdett by less than 80 points. He even capped off June by winning a sprint car main event.

But if you think he's satisfied, you would be wrong.

In nearly three decades of racing at RMR, Waters has claimed 10 championships and never finished outside the top five in any class.

Even as he contemplates his eventual retirement and a shift into managing a three- or four-car racing team, Waters expects nothing less than to contend for a championship.

"I still got a couple of more championships in me, and our sponsors are committed to help us out for the next few years," Waters said. "I want to give it a real strong run for the championship."

To reach that goal, the West Valley City resident is confining his time on the oval to sprint races alone.

Before this summer, Waters raced in both the sprint and modified classes. But doing so was a demanding task.

The difference between a sprint car and modified car is substantial. A typical Modified car weighs 2,500 pounds, while a sprint car weighs 1,300. Also, a sprint car operates on two times as much horsepower as a Modified.

Trying to build, race and maintain two separate cars took its toll on Waters, and he decided to focus on the sprint class alone coming into this season.

"The cars were so different in handling characteristics and driving styles that you use," Waters said. "I've just been able to concentrate more on what I need to do as a driver in the sprint car."

Waters prepared for the current season by purchasing a new sprint car with the help of his sponsors and building it over the winter.

Being a new car, it took some time to work out kinks — including losing multiple motors to various problems. Those problems led to Waters' uncharacteristic position outside the top five in the points standings entering June.

But the car has run much more smoothly since then, helping him earn a victory and three straight top 10 finishes.

"We're back where we need to be," Waters said. "The car feels real competitive."