1) Jim “Rocky” Rothwell sits next to his recent trophy won in Afton in 2021 inside his Rothwell Used and Auto Sales office, located in Plymouth, NY. (Photo by Morgan Golliver), 2) A photo of Rocky’s win at Fonda Speedway in 1988 that sits inside the Rothwell Used Auto Sales’ office. Rothwell quotes that achievement as one of his fondest. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

PLYMOUTH – The New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame is proud to induct six individuals into its Hall of Fame on Sunday, May 4 at the Fonda Speedway Hall of Fame & Museum. One of those six individuals includes Plymouth’s own Jim “Rocky” Rothwell.

“I didn’t expect it,” Rothwell said when he got the news.

Rothwell, who is still actively driving and involved, started his racing career in 1979 in the late model division at many local tracks such as Five Mile Point, Fulton, Brookfield, Utica Rome, Rolling Wheels, and Weedsport. During this time, Rothwell was also working for Skip Seymour at Skip’s Used Cars.

For Rothwell, racing became a ‘hobby,’ a very expensive one in fact but he loves it. Racing was also a family affair as his family was his inspiration, especially his uncle Ed Rothwell.

Rothwell lists his most memorable achievements as the victory in Fonda in 1989 as well as a win in Afton in 2021, which he has a big trophy by his desk from this recent race.

Rothwell quoted in the DIRT race pro weekly, “ One of my favorite wins was a 50-lap $1000 to win race at Fonda in 1989 while my second favorite was the Super Nationals win at Afton in 2021. I have no idea how many wins I have but I do have six or seven championships.”

Rothwell is fond of all his championships among his 46 years of racing and counting.