At 56 years old, Jim Hughes admits he needed a change.

Hughes, for nearly four decades, championed the name of Hughes performance converters and transmissions. Today he has a new direction.

The iconic sportsman racer has sold his interest in the family business and now has a new focus -- operating a drag strip.

Hughes is in the process of finalizing the details this week that will make him the lease operator of Southwest International Raceway, soon to be renamed Tucson Dragway.

"I really don't think or want to classify this as a mid-life crisis," said Hughes. "It's more of a mid-life change. I've been in the converter and transmission business for 38 years. I helped build the Hughes brand and had a chance to get out, and I took it. Looking forward to this new chapter in my life."

The drag strip opportunity wasn't available when Hughes decided to cash out of the family business.

"I really wasn't sure what I was going to do," said Hughes. "I knew I needed to figure out what I was going to do when I grew up! Lol Then I started talking to the folks at IRG and IHRA."

IRG and IHRA, according to Hughes were in the process of closing down the drag strip located inside of Tucson Arizona. Hughes then made contact with former owners Tom Keenan and John Bradford and made inquiries about the availability of the facility that had earlier this year hosted an IHRA Nitro Jam event.

"I elected to take over the continuation of the track operation," explained Hughes. "They have basically given me the opportunity to save the drag strip. We already had lost Phoenix Raceway Park that closed down, and that hit home hard. That was our hometown, local drag strip I raced at every weekend growing up. I just didn't want to see this one go away, and I figured I'd give it a shot."

Hughes made a call to his close friend Bill Bader as well as other friends and race track owners, who were supportive of him but offered all kinds of negative reasons why he shouldn't. The desire to give back to sportsman drag racing won out.

"Drag racing has been good to me," Hughes said. "I watched other family's raise their kids in the sport, and I watched mine too. I saw how beneficial drag racing was in keeping my kids close as a family. I know there are many families who race together at Southwest Raceway, and I cannot let those bonds be broken. This is my way of giving back to the community and sport. I feel it is my obligation to save another drag strip from closing down."

So how will a Jim Hughes drag strip look?

"As much as it pains me to say, it won't look like a Bader facility," Hughes admitted. "I do feel what is important is for racers to be greeted properly and treated like a valued customer. Little things like clean bathrooms and pride of ownership are important to me. That goes along with a good starting line and consistent, SAFE, track conditions and the proper safety equipment. You have to be hospitable to your racers, like bringing a guest into your home"

Food will be important for Hughes, as he revealed a sit-down restaurant and bar already exists on the property.

"I bought a restaurant that just happens to be connected to a drag strip," said Hughes. "That is one of the most intriguing parts of the deal. I love to cook. Our menu will be something outside of just normal hot dogs and hamburgers."

Hughes said he's also considering an on-site convenience store, as well as a speed shop for miscellaneous parts.

This is a phenomenal drag strip with a ton of potential," said Hughes. "The atmosphere is unbelievable. The fans are great, and the staff has done an amazing job with what they've had to work with."

In addition to the drag strip, Hughes has formed a new company called Blue Bayou Motorsports which will serve as a parent company to his motorhome and trailer sales company, Don Davis Race Cars and other business venues. Hughes said he will continue to sell Hughes Performance products as well.

Blue Bayou Motorsports will be integrated into the strip.

"I have a place down in Grand Isle, La., and it just seemed like a natural fit," admitted
Hughes. "For years people have seen me as the red guy, the one who goes against the grain, the one who sold converters painted red instead of the standard black. I've always been one to be different. Now it's time to go in a different direction."

Another aspect of taking over the Tucson track which intrigues Hughes is the ability to test cars for customers as well as new products for for other manufacturers. These are all plans for the long-term.

Hughes said there will be a time of transition where the track will close down for reorganization.

"We are looking to shut down for about a month," Hughes said. "We plan to use this time to reorganize the facility. We hope to be operational around the first of October. I know there are some current agendas on the schedule, but everyone is going to have to be patient with us. If we can shut down for about a month, it will be worth it in the long run. This will be a long-term investment and commitment."

Hughes has lofty goals.

"I would love to make the place national event quality," said Hughes. "I think the infrastructure is there already. I know it will need more grandstands. We are on the county fairgrounds, so there's plenty of space. I would love to host a Jegs SportsNationals event one day as well as build a strong bracket racing community."

Hughes is uncertain of the sanctioning body he will use.

"I think it's a case where we need to look at the demographics and needs of our racers and make the decision based on what is best for them," said Hughes.

And thinking of the sportsman racer, Hughes said, is how he rolls.