JAMES HENRY-LOOKING FOR THE TITLE OF MR. CONSISTENCY IN 2001

When Gary Montgomery took over the reigns as General Manager of Canandaigua Speedway in 2000, one of his first moves was to announce the return of the Street Stock division at "The Land of Legends" complete with points being awarded using the standard DIRT Motorsports point schedule. In reality, the Street Stocks were already in competition on a weekly basis, but were classified as the Pure Stock division and were not awarded points based on their weekly finishes which would lead up to an annual point's champion for the full fendered warriors. Montgomery's decision was based on the fact that as long time track announcer at Canandaigua Speedway he lived and remembered the "glory days" of the Street Stock division at that track in the 1980s when it was not uncommon for 100 drivers to compete in the division on a Saturday night. Montgomery's dream is getting closer to realization as over the last 2 weeks, 30 plus Street Stocks have been in competition forcing officials to split feature events for what some fans are claiming is the best competition on the speedway each Saturday evening. Middlesex's James Henry is one of these Street Stock competitors that has shown great promise by amassing more victories than any other driver since the division was re-established. With 7 feature checkers to his credit (5 in 2000 & 2 in 2001), Henry is also on his way to being one of the major contenders & favorites to wear the 2001 Canandaigua Speedway Street Stock points crown.

"My parents have been huge influences in my racing career. They took me every week from the time I was 5 years old and I was hooked! I became an Alan Johnson fan immediately. In fact, the year he started his racing career (1974) was the year that I was born and I always thought that was kinda neat. My mom (Joanne Henry) is still there in the stands every week cheering me on at Canandaigua and I think she will be climbing into my car to compete in the Powder Puff event that will be upcoming," Henry told me.

Henry's racing career really began in 1992 when he worked on the pit crew for good friend and mentor, Loren Lincoln. In 1993 Henry purchased his first stock car and would compete in about a dozen shows at Paradise Speedway in Geneva in the Street Stock/Pro Stock division. Never finding the success he was seeking at the time, Henry put his racing career on hold once again helping Lincoln in his racing endeavors. The "itch" to get back behind the wheel of a car hit Henry once again in 1999 so he went with his instincts purchasing another ride and competing in 4 events in what was then named the Pure Stock division at Canandaigua. With the announcement that the division would be restructured for 2000, Henry found that Lincoln and "Fast" Fred Arden were there to help him prepare and begin the process of establishing a potent team. Henry was always a threat in 2000 to claim the checkers, but due to inconsistent finishes he was unable to make a viable run for the points title and ended the season 3rd in the final points tally.

Now at the age of 26, Henry, who does Design Engineer work at Geneva Design, sits 5th in the points only 17 behind leader Leroy Lewis early in the 2001 season. His potent #21 Lincoln Fabrication/Geneva Design/Griffen Insulation/Subway (Farmington) 1976 Chevrolet Camaro is powered by an engine that was built by Loren Lincoln for his Street Stock before he made the move to the Sportsman division. A new motor built by Lincoln is in the works and should be unveiled for Henry's ride within a matter of weeks possibly spelling trouble for the rest of the competition in the division. Henry's crew for 2001 consists of Loren Lincoln, Fred Arden, Mike Cratsley, Jason Tiffany, and George Spaulding.

"I need to give some special thanks to my girlfriend of 7 years, Renee and my daughter Chelsea Johnson (8 years old). They have been so patient and understanding when it comes to me pursuing my dream in racing. Also, and I can never show my appreciation enough to Loren Lincoln and Fred Arden. They have helped me in every aspect learning the ropes in the racing game from building & maintenance on the car right down to my driving style. In fact, Loren keeps my car right at his shop and does most of the work during the week through his own business (Lincoln Fabrication).

"I absolutely enjoy competing in this division. I have made some great friends and I believe that we have the closest and fiercest competition on the racing surface. My goal is to find a pattern for consistency this year, hopefully become the 2001 points champion and use this experience in the Street Stock division as a stepping stone towards the Pro Stock division because I believe that is the class of the future. Long term, I'd like to give the open wheeled Sportsman division a try but I guess we'll take it one step at a time," Henry summarized.