Around age 18, Dad made his first trip to the Indianapolis 500 working with Troy Ruttman.

In 1969 Dad, took his first paid racing position working with James Gardner in off road racing, American Motors Nash Scramblers where he designed and built the vehicles. During that time he was a mechanic for IRL Ministries Chaplain, Hunter Floyd.

In 1970, he went to work for Dan Gurney as an engine builder/machinist. Working in the Trans Am series on the Plymouth Barracuda Program. Also, running in the Phoenix USAC race, series where they won in late 1970 at PIR with Swede Savage.

In 1972, Swede Savage joined Patrick Racing and ask dad to join him as his chief mechanic. They ran the USAC Series and the Indianapolis 500 until Swede’s accident at the 1973 Indianapolis 500. After Swede’s accident dad worked with Driver Wally Dallenbach and teammate Gordon Johncock.Before leaving USAC Racing, dad also worked with Lee Brayton, Salt Walther and Mike Hiss.

After the conclusion of the 1973 season, dad relocated back to California and went to work for Keith Black Racing Engines. He was shop foreman and engine builder for 4 ½ years. While at Keith Black Racing Engines, he had the opportunity to build engines for several NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters and Blown Alcohol Funny Cars. Also, while at Keith Black Racing Engine, he became one of the top engine builders for the National Drag Boat Association. Still holding the record for the fastest woman on water, Mary Rife in 1977.

In 1978, opening his own Jim Wright Racing Engines in Sylmar, California still serving NHRA, NDBA and other high performance engine clients.

In late, 1979, dad went to work for Larry Minor Racing who participated in NHRA with drivers Gary Beck, Larry Dixon, and Ed McCullough.

In 1981, he worked for Herb & Rose Wysard, fielding cars for Johnny Parsons and Bob Lazier.

In 1982, after a call from Lee Brayton, dad worked with Lee and Scott Brayton to field a car for young Scott Brayton. Also, for his teammates Rick Muther and Patrick Bedard. Dad ran the team until 1985 when Scott joined Dick Simon Racing.

In December of 1985, dad again joined Patrick Racing with drivers Kevin Cogan and Emerson Fittipaldi working in the engine depart.

Continuing, the Buick V-6 development program dad relocated to California with Dennis Fisher in 1987.

He had the wonderful opportunity to build qualifying motors for the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. in 1987 & 1988 before joining forces again with Lee and Scott Brayton, opening Brayton Engineering in late 1989. With the Buick Engine program and later the Oldsmobile Aurora , he had the pleasure to work with Jim Crawford, Eddie Cheever, Roberto Guerrero, Pancho Carter and many others. He worked with Brayton Engineering from 1989 until his retirement from racing. While at Brayton Engineering, he worked with various sprint car teams, midget teams, continuing engine development and always interested in the working with other like minded individuals to improve engines and components that would improve racing. The drivers he worked with in Midgets and Sprints became as close as family and dad enjoyed seeing these drivers, some hobby driver’s, some just getting started become amazing drivers and good friends. He worked with Ryan Newman, Steve Barth, Roger Corrigan, Danny Drinan, Casey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Aaron Fick, Kenny Erwin Jr., Tony Elliot, Billy Boat just to name a few.

Also, working with Frank Weiss Racing Components as a consultant, he enjoyed keeping his hand in the business after his health wouldn’t allow him to go full time racing.