Tales of NHRA Drag Racing with Clay Millican's Crew Chief Jim Oberhofer

Better known by many as simply Jim O, we got the chance to speak with Jim Oberhofer, Clay Millican's NHRA Crew Chief with Rick Ware Racing, during a visit to Pro Motor Engines in Mooresville, NC earlier this year. Jim O was there along with another member of Clay's team as one of the team's engines was in for machine work and a refresh. Jim O has been in the drag racing world for quite some time, so we enjoyed hearing about his background and some of the tales he's seen hanging in the pits and at the track.
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[@robertlantz2206]

JimO has a very mellow demeanor and know his stuff. I hope to meet Clay and the whole team someday.

[@tools6106]

JimO is a data machine on the details! Nervous about talking about himself though. Very humble, how much he spreads the glory! One of a kind!

[@tripprogers4814]

You're right, a selfless individual who, when Clay redlights, is looking for a reason of why HE as a crewchief has somehow missed something along the way. An *incredible* crewchief, who calls everyone else "The Boss", but is the reason this team is so bossy.

[@teresagoodwin7458]

Jimmo is Brilliant and truly kind and humble and he doesn't like to talk about himself, he'd rather talk about all the great team members with Clay!! They have a winning combination and with Rick Ware are going to propel the car that Clay loves Stomping That Loud Pedal into the stratosphere 🏆🏆🏆🏆👍THE whole team is amazingly sweet and very kind and humble and I have never seen a team that works so seamlessly together. It's absolutely amazing and fascinating at the turn around time to tear down the engine and rebuild it in under an hour!!! Absolutely Insane and they make it look so easy. Loved this video. Love Jimmo and the whole Clay Millican team!!! 💞🤗💞🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@tripprogers4814]

This is NOT a knock on Jim-O.. he is a slow, methodical thinker. Much like the way he talks. While everyone else is going 330mph in the brain, he slows down and catches things falling thru the cracks. There are so many things that contribute to wins, he sees things others can't..like in the Matrix!

[@jezzter4293]

Excellent thank you 🙂

[@xray111xxx]

So much love to Jim. He is doing great things, helps Clay stomp that loud pedal. I am so impressed with his skill. Jim is the real deal.

[@tripprogers4814]

and is now stomping on the necks of the rest of the field..lol

[@tripprogers4814]

Yes, Jim -O took over from where Kloeber left off. Yes, Mr.Stringer sold the team, for the better good of everyone involved to Mr.Ware. Yes, Clay Millican could have won with both. But, the way Bruce and Jim have sculpted this team, THIS is the reason a team who tried their hardest for 5 years, NOW has *three* Wally Trophies. It is great to be a fan of a team that tried SO HARD for SO LONG to get ONE WIN, now is in the hunt for the NHRA Championship. No, they probably won't win it this year, but they have set a tone of winning and an expectation to win.. something Clay didn't expect so soon. Bottom line, Jim O is the *MAN*

[@Mark-um7ey]

Awesome to hear Jim O interviewed. He is one coo,l layed back dude. Great to see Clay and him together with a great sponsor.

[@jaggedmountain]

No secret why the team is doing so well - genuine authentic leadership from JimO. Great to hear his story.

[@tripprogers4814]

..not just a true statement, but a SUPER true statement you just made.

[@thomaslewis7883]

Great interview. It was super interesting hearing about Jims early life and career. I watched Jim and the prior crew chief struggle in a sport that demands large amounts of money to be competitive, but they somehow pulled it all together to make it work. I'm very happy that Jim and Clay now have the crew and support to win races. Congrats to Rick Ware Racing, Parts Plus, Pro Motor Engines etc. as well as the entire crew who have put the Parts Plus dragster in the winner's circle..

[@outragousbob4367]

I’ve always liked Clay, going back to his IHRA days. Adding Jim O. And then Rick, well that is a trifecta of class! Three wins this season so far and many more to come!

[@tripprogers4814]

Right?? There is *NO WAY* they weren't going to win a few this year!

[@scarter176]

I hated to see Mike Klobber go but Jim has definitely stepped up the program. At first I was thinking the progress was too slow but Jim has his own way on this. He is bringing the team along and I have rooted for them a long time. I knew of Clay from his IHRA days when I went to those races with Doug Foxworth. Clay is a great driver and team booster. This is a great combo for Rick Ware and he saw it early on. Kudo for Rick for picking this team to stuff his bank account into. Lol

[@tripprogers4814]

I felt the same way about Kloe, I wished he was somehow a small part of these wins, and I know he is in this one respect.. you're going to lose a lot more than you win in drag racing. Kloe kept their heads held high thru the 5 years of losing. He deserved a ton more wins.

[@tbone67gthenderson78]

Jim O rocks !!!

[@kentlypeterman2414]

Jim O is the best.

[@smudger6461]

Jim O. Been watching for a while with clay, it's been fantastic love seeing you smile man keep smashing it💯

[@charliewhite1946]

met JIMO in Montreal in 88 working 4 kalittas been a class act

[@TravisHargiss]

I am a big fan of Jim, Clay, Rick and all the Parts Plus team! I am a lifelong nascar fan, so naturally follow Tony pretty close, and lnew who Rick was before his NHRA introduction. I even won a cool giveaway ob Clays youtube channel!

[@yattaran1484]

Thank you for posting this interesting talk with JimO !. Really enjoyed !

[@MrLcummins]

Great interview with Jim O. Thank You

[@billclark5943]

Great interview. Jim is a class act. I did wish you would have l let him keep talking tune up. Us armchair crewchiefs just started salivating when he was talking head gaskets, then you moved on 😢.Lol

[@EngineBuilder]

Next time we catch Jim, we'll be sure to focus on tune up talk. Thanks Bill.

[@chrisbeun335]

Jim o what great crew chief for clay Millican

[@biggerbehindthetrigger2814]

Way to go this season Jim. I can't wait to see what next year will bring.

[@jerry36852]

I do like Jim Oberhofer he is just a good guy, he doesn’t throw his toys out of his pram,just carries on doing what he does best, l like listening to his facts of what why and how he looks at the engine clutch etc data and his knowledge about the car on every track, which can’t be easy, l very much liked the interview he gave, TOP MAN,respect to him.👏👍👍😬

[@shaneswayze6228]

He's a great guy really cares about his crew guys really smart glad he's in the sport..seen him at Memphis motorsports park very respectful guy.good luck Jim -0 rest of the season.

[@daviddemarest2724]

jim O class act awesome

[@bayselec]

Jim O is the man. Great to hear him talk about his career. Well done thanks for the vid...

[@hankweultjes2739]

Awesome interview.

[@Smokey72013]

Jim o just left right as I was working on the tow rigs at kiletta. Sad day

[@deronborghi5929]

Maple grove raceway #1😊

[@tripprogers4814]

*BIG* win

[@CJM7080]

Awesome video Jim’s team is awesome. Was the camera person on a boat? That’s my only question the camera was drifting back and forth 😂

[@MRCATWRENCH]

Jim O👏

[@mickeyreefer4212]

How did you learn computer tuning

[@stephencarter1442]

JimO

[@ralphhbernstein6798]

Ya, the audio was really bad ... Sorry.

[@abitoffcenter383]

Is the camera person drunk or what? Stand still!!! All the rocking back and forth is unnecessary.

[@EngineBuilder]

It turned into a longer conversation than anticipated, and the camera was not on a tripod, so you'll have to excuse any rocking.

[@abitoffcenter383]

@@EngineBuilderGotcha. No real worries, it was just distracting. Although it was a great interview imho.

[@rogeeeferrari]

Jim-O needs to do better, his car has been put on the trailer in the first round way too many times this season. You're supposed to move up the ladder in the countdown, not down, at this point they have fallen out of the top 10, season is over for Millican...

[@suicidalpornstar8091]

They're not out just yet. They're locked into the countdown and qualified 7th this weekend. Don't under estimate them, They've won 2 races this year.

[@rogeeeferrari]

@@suicidalpornstar8091 You are delirious, Jim-O will screw this up for sure, they have no chance at all...

[@suicidalpornstar8091]

@@rogeeeferrari okay 👍 you must be one of the haters Clay talks about 😂🖕

[@rogeeeferrari]

@@suicidalpornstar8091 I love Clay, but I'm also good at math, he could win all 3 remaining races but will not win. You can't make up 200 points in 3 races unless nobody else shows up. Yes, he won 2 races but sucked royal in all the other races, Jim-O needs to get his head out of his arse....

[@suicidalpornstar8091]

@@rogeeeferrari I know Clay can't win the championship this year. I just want him to win another race or two that's all.