JAMES BONDURANT
Richburg,SC
Summary
Professional race car driver and motorsports influencer with a dynamic background in drifting, sprint car racing, and road racing. James Bondurant is a true pioneer — the first American invited to Japan to train in drifting, where he went on to become the first American driver to qualify a factory-backed team into the Top 16. His career is a bold reflection of skill, grit, and a relentless drive.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Professional Driver
Bondurant Motorsports
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Active in competitive sim racing,
- consistently setting fast lap times at the Trackhouse motorplex go kart track
Professional driver
EventLink
01.2015 - 06.2019
- Professional driver for national tours and brand activations, including Chevrolet’s “Find New Roads” campaign.
Professional Race Car Driver
Keener Bondurant Racing
04.2010 - 10.2014
- Competed in the 360 Winged Sprint Car series at Ocean Speedway against elite drivers like Kyle Larson, Bud Kaeding, and Justin Sanders.
- Qualified and raced in the USAC CRA Sprint Car series.
Student/Instructor
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
08.2009 - 08.2009
- Completed Formula 3 training, surpassing chief instructor Nico Rondet's benchmark lap times.
Professional Drifter
Drift Avengers
02.2007 - 07.2009
- Competed in Formula Drift as an independent team.
- Consistently qualified in the Top 32 with a best finish of 18th place.
Instructor
Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving
01.1999 - 01.2008
- Trained elite government agencies, NASCAR Cup Series drivers, celebrities, and pro athletes.
- Battled wheel-to-wheel with motorsports legends including Daytona 500 Champion Michael McDowell, Indy 500 Champion Buddy Rice, 24 Hours of Le Mans Champion Johnny O'Connell, Daytona 24 Winner Darren Law, and IndyCar winner Tomas Scheckter.
Drift Demonstration Driver
Dunlop Tires
05.2006 - 10.2006
- National drift demo tour with Hot Import Nights.
Factory driver
Team Lexus
03.2005 - 08.2005
- Finished in the Top 16.
Professional Drifter
Falken Tires
04.2004 - 10.2004
• Earned SCCA Pro Racing License
• Ranked Top 12 in Formula Drift Championship Points
• Achieved a Top 8 finish at the Formula D Invitational
Education
Formula 3 Training
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
Sonoma, CA08.2009
Sprint Car Training
Billy Perkins Sprint Car Driving Experience
Victorville, CA07.2009
High Performance Driving
Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving
Phoenix, AZ04.2007
Drifting instruction
Ebisu Circuit, Japan
03.2004
Timeline
Professional Driver
Bondurant Motorsports
01.2020 - 01.2024
Professional driver
EventLink
01.2015 - 06.2019
Professional Race Car Driver
Keener Bondurant Racing
04.2010 - 10.2014
Student/Instructor
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
08.2009 - 08.2009
Professional Drifter
Drift Avengers
02.2007 - 07.2009
Drift Demonstration Driver
Dunlop Tires
05.2006 - 10.2006
Factory driver
Team Lexus
03.2005 - 08.2005
Professional Drifter
Falken Tires
04.2004 - 10.2004
Instructor
Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving
01.1999 - 01.2008
Formula 3 Training
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
Sprint Car Training
Billy Perkins Sprint Car Driving Experience
High Performance Driving
Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving
Drifting instruction
Ebisu Circuit, Japan