| 250px | |
| Nationality |  American
|
| Born | 12 June 1913 |
| New York City, New York, United States | |
| Died | 26 March 2007 |
| New York City, New York, United States | |
| World Stock Car Championship | |
|---|---|
| 10 races run over 1 season(s). | |
| Rookie Season | 1950 |
| Team(s) | Stafford Brothers Garage |
| Championships | 0 |
| Pole Positions | 1 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Top 5s | 3 |
| Top 10s | 4 |
| Best Finish | 3rd |
| First Start | 1950 Icebreaker Sweepstakes |
| Last Start | 1950 Turkey Bowl |
| Best Result | 9th (1950) |
| WSCC Canon Driver | |
James Michael "Jimmy" Stafford (June 12, 1913 - March 26, 2007) was an American stock car driver who competed during the 1950's and 1960's. He is best known as the founder of Stafford Race Engineering alongside his brother Peter.
Early Life and Career[edit | edit source]
Jimmy Stafford was born in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn; he was the oldest of three brothers. Jimmy took an interest in cars at a young age and work as a mechanic throughout the Great Depression, eventually opening his own service center in 1943. His brother Peter convinced him to start offering performance service for local race teams, as there was a growing interest in stock car racing following the end of World War II. Peter would rejoin the racing circuit (he had previously raced midget cars before enlisting in the Army), with Jimmy and youngest brother Gerry preparing the cars.
WSCC Career[edit | edit source]
When Elliott Crawford announced the formation of the National Stock Car Series in 1949, Peter convinced Jimmy to enter the series alongside him. Jimmy's 1950 season did not include a win, but with a best finish of third at Rochester he was able to finish ninth in points.
Personal Life[edit | edit source]
Stafford married Jane Gallagher on September 4, 1931; she died on July 14, 2008. The pair had five children - Peter James, Arthur, Brian, Frances, and Catherine. P.J. and Arthur both followed him into stock car racing, where Arthur found success as a driver, while P.J. found success as an engine builder.
Stafford died in his sleep at his home in Brooklyn, New York, on March 26, 2007; he was 93 years old.