Jim Scott

Auto Racing, Class of 2008

Jim Scott, a beloved resident of Garland, Pennsylvania, built an impressive reputation as a race car driver from 1956 to 1976, competing at local, regional, and national levels. Beginning his career at age 18, Scott quickly established himself as a top competitor on area dirt tracks before advancing to Late Model racing and earning a spot among the nation’s top drivers. Known for his famous No. 3 car, he won numerous feature races and excelled in longer events, including 50- and 100-lap races.

Scott’s career took him to prestigious speedways, including Daytona and Talladega. One of his greatest accomplishments was finishing eighth in a field of 40 drivers at Daytona. He also qualified fourth fastest at Talladega at an incredible 189 mph. A skilled mechanic, Scott built and maintained many of his own race cars while earning sponsorships that helped him compete against top drivers across the country.

In 1970, Scott suffered a devastating back injury in a high-speed crash at Eriez Speedway that left him with three broken vertebrae and a crushed spine. Despite predictions that he might never walk or race again, his determination carried him through a remarkable recovery. He returned to racing and continued competing successfully until 1976. Today, Scott’s legacy lives on through his children, who have followed in his footsteps and achieved success on local, regional, and national racing circuits.