Saukville Teen, Winner of NASCAR Supercup, Thrives on Competition

You could almost say it's in his blood: with a father that used to race and a mother that loved joining the family around the track, Saukville teen Joshua James continues to be a race-winning driver.

Most recently, James took home a first place win in the NASCAR Supercup race at La Crosse Speedway on July 7. He's been racing since he was 5 years old — starting in go karts — and won the INEX (600 racing) Championship in 2009 for the state of Wisconsin.

"I enjoy the competition and the speeds on the track. It takes quick reflexes and planning to get to the front of the pack," James said in an e-mail to Patch. "I’m most proud of always being competitive and helping others at the track.

"My dad raced and my mom loved racing. My mom passed away in 2009. She ... enjoyed going to NASCAR races as well as local races. She was always with my dad and I at the track. She taught Sunday School at the track, KART-C Minstries (Kids are Reaching Toward Christ). She wanted to make sure that each person who attended learned about Christ."

James has lived in Saukville since he was born in 1998. He raced go karts starting at age 5 until he was about 10 years old. After that, he raced Bandoler cars, and moved to NASCAR Supercup races in 2010.

Though he's won races in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, he said he is very happy to call Saukville home.

"I like being in a small town and being so close to the lake," he said.

Members of the marketing sector for the James Racing team said he "smoked the competition and beat the experienced racers," on July 7, and they hope to see more of that in the future. Visit www.jamesracingteam.com for more information.