James Day has made a career out of saying yes when opportunity knocks. But at the NHRA Nevada Nationals, opportunity didn’t just knock — it kicked the door down.
Day arrived at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway expecting to spend the weekend as a clutch specialist, helping on the Bill Windham–owned Shakedown team. By Saturday morning, he found himself suiting up as a replacement driver. “With my lifestyle, I never know what I’m doing from one day to the next,” Day said. “Yesterday I was a clutch guy. Today I’ll be a clutch guy and a race car driver on two different teams. It’s all fun.”
The call came after Todd Miller — who normally drives Don Nelson’s California Hustler Funny Car in the Legends Nitro Series — was sidelined by health issues, leaving a sudden vacancy in the seat. “They needed a little bit of extra help this weekend, so I jumped on over,” Day said. “We heard Todd was having some health issues last night and they needed a driver, so they called me.”
Stepping into the cockpit on short notice took some quick improvisation.
“Thank God for Buddy Hull and Ron Capps, because I look like their love child in this thing,” Day joked. “I got Buddy’s fire suit and Capps’ helmet on.” Despite the humor, Day said NHRA officials made sure all safety procedures were followed before he could race.
“He’s got to go through and re-check the car and sign the waiver as a driver and not a crew guy,” Day explained. “There’s a few steps. And NHRA Safety Safari, Russ and everybody, came down to look at all my stuff to make sure that everything is 100 percent legal and safe for competition.”
For Day, the moment was quintessential drag racing — equal parts chaos, teamwork, and passion. He has long been known as one of the sport’s most adaptable figures, driving everything from Funny Cars to Fuel Altereds. In addition to Windham’s operation, Day also drives the famed Burkholder Brothers Fuel Altered, a fan-favorite nostalgia entry known for its unpredictable power.
The veteran said his decades in the pits have taught him to expect the unexpected, especially when opportunity comes unannounced. “If I would’ve known before I came here that I’d end up driving in this race,” he said, laughing, “I would’ve brought my own gear.”
From the staging lanes to the starting line, Day’s weekend in Las Vegas reinforced his personal mantra — stay ready for whatever comes your way. As he put it, “You just stay ready. When the phone rings, you answer.”
Despite his best efforts, Day qualified No. 7 and lost in the first round to Geoff Monise.
