Jim Martel

Competitor
CLASS OF 2014

“Gentleman Jim” Martel from Ipswich, MA raced in four decades, winning in a wide variety of equipment from cutdown modifieds to super modifieds & sprint cars on dirt & asphalt at over a dozen different tracks.

The high point of his career is arguably his 1970 season at Star Speedway when he racked up an amazing 21 wins enroute to the 1970 Late Model Championship, one of two he earned at the New Hampshire track. His resume also includes NESMRA super modified wins at Thompson and Westboro speedways as well as sprint car triumphs at Monadnock Speedway, Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire and Beech Ridge Speedway in Maine.

During his long career, he also visited victory lane at tracks like The Pines Speedway, West Peabody Speedway, Arundel Speedway, Lee Speedway, Hudson Speedway and Dover. He raced into the late 1980’s before handing over the driving duties to his sons. His son Keith was the 1993 Rookie of the Year on the ISMA circuit, which Jim winning Mechanic of the Year honors.

Leaving the cockpit, he served as Vice President of the International Super Modified Association (ISMA) and later was an accomplished race car restorer. He also served on the Board of Directors of the New England Racing Museum. Jim passed away on September 28, 2022 at the age of 83.