Death date: Jun 18, 2015
James E. Vandiver, Jr., 77, a native Charlottean and resident of Huntersville for more than 40 years, was called home on June 18, 2015. Jim was the definition of a positive attitude, never worrying about anything and always having Read Obituary
Always enjoyed watching him race the dirt tracks in Gaston County
Our sincere condolences to the Vandiver Family - especially to Lillian, our friend and neighbor for the past 12 years. While we know your family will miss Jim, his memories, stories and legacy will continue to be with us. Just reading about the Vandiver Racing Family is a testament to the "heart of a champion" that embodies the desire to win! May God bless your entire family during this time and know that our prayers are with you for peace, comfort and KNOWING we'll see Jim again!
We are very sorry to learn of your loss and are grateful that you all have each other as family to support each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deb & David Park
10th Ave. Townhomes
I am very sorry to you Rhett because you were a potential great driver but keep trying in the management side of NASCAR.
Jim was one heck of a driver back during the day when we really didn't know what we were doing. I say that because he was driving 200 mph NASCAR cars when the super speedway era first began against the likes of Buddy Baker, David Pearson, Bobby Isaac, Cale Yarbrough, etc.
He was one of the front runners at my first track -- the Robinwood Speedway in Gastonia back in 1962
This was a very high banked dirt track -- 24 degrees in the corners -- and he was very competitive with Jim Dimeo, Harold Dunaway, Bill Monteith, Ervin Carpenter, Bryant Wallace and, of course, Jungle Boy Lane among many others. Brother Tommy as a good driver but a genius as a mechanic and his sister Lillian pioneered the track for many other women drivers to follow.
Jimmy almost won Talladega in '69 (he may have!).
He was also a fine fellow and a good friend to us all. If he had a really good race car he
would be in or near the NASCAR Hall of Fame today.
His years were good to him and I know he is resting peaceful today.
I think of Jim Vandiver and what a fine race driver he was. At my old Robinwood Speedway in Gastona -- the best high banked dirt quarter mile ever -- he ran hard against Jim Dimeo, Bryant Wallace, Ervin Carpenter, Jungle Boy, Bill Monteith and Preston Humphries, etc.
When he ran NASCAR in the 200 mph days he probably won Talladega in 1969. Had he a
better car in the next five years he could have won a dozen races...he was that good!
His sister Lillian was quite a driver herself and set the course for Janet Guthrie and later
Danica Patrick.
He lived a good life and he is a person I am very proud of.
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing, a true racer and all around nice guy. Godspeed old friend.
Sorry for your loss. Another piece of NASCAR's ]at gone. Class guy. RIP
I enjoyed the friendship of Jim as well as his sister, Lillian, during the many years that we were involved in NASCAR. I remember Jim as a very good driver and an all-American nice guy who was fun to be around. I am sorry for his loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lillian, Tommie and the entire family.
Sincerely,
Bob Myers
Motorsports Writer, retired
As a member of Jim's pit crew from 1973 to 1975, I remember well all the great times we had with Jim. He was a great driver and gentleman. He and Tommy ran really good cars on very little money and I'm sure with better funding the team would have always been a front runner. It was a privilege to be a team member those few years.
Jim's race is over now. I pray the his soul rests in peace and that his family will find comfort in God's grace.
I am so sorry to hear this.... I was actually at the ballfields in Mooresville tonight when i heard about it..... I am sending prayers to the family... God Bless and he will be missed in the little town of Huntersville, NC.... These prayers are also being sent from my parents, Brenda and Cooper Wilhelm..........
