Jim Vandiver is a retired NASCAR

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...

 Winston Cup driver that raced from 1968 to 1983

1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 20. Bobby Allison was Winston Cup champion at the end of the season finishing 47 points ahead of Darrell Waltrip...

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Summary

He has competed in 85 races with five finishes in the top-five, 24 top-ten finishes, 117 laps led out of 16529, and a total mileage count of 24247.8 miles. In his entire career, Vandiver managed to earn $167,703 in total winnings earned on the track. Known as one of the hardest-charging independents of his day, Jim was once said to be "Up front, or upside down!" Among the most notable races that Jim Vandiver competed in are the 1969 Talladega 500

1969 Talladega 500

The Inaugural Talladega 500 was held at Alabama International Motor Speedway on September 14, 1969 in Talladega, Alabama, USA. It was the 44th event of the 1969 season. It is primarily remembered because all of the NASCAR stars from the PDA led by Richard Petty, boycotted the race due to a major...

 which Jim and Ray Fox, Sr. still claim they won (although he was credited with second) and the 1972 Daytona 500

1972 Daytona 500

The 1972 Daytona 500 was won by A.J. Foyt driving a 1971 Mercury on February 20, 1972.- Summary :Foyt drove his number 21 to victory in more than three hours after starting the race outside front-row position. There were three cautions flags which slowed the race for a total of 17 laps. Foyt...

 in which Jim finished third to winner A. J. Foyt. Jim is also the only undefeated ARCA driver at Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...

 with victories in 1970 and 1975.

Most of Vandiver's earlier racers were done in Dodge

Dodge

Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....

 vehicles. In his later career, Vandiver drove Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile

Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...

 and Chevrolet

Chevrolet

Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...

racecars. Vandiver currently operates Choice Trucks (www.ChoiceTrucks.net) a used truck dealership in Huntersville, North Carolina.