Jason Bates

Jason Clyde Wallen (born January 7, 1982 in Baker, Louisiana), better known as Jason Bates, is an American race car driver currently competing for Wild West Racing in the FARC Larry Lemon Super Series and the BAAR Super Pro Series, the team owned by his mentor, James West. He chooses to race under the surname "Bates" because he was raised by his mother Sharron Bates after she divorced from his father Clyde Wallen.

Bates is best known for his career in the FARC Lowe Dollar Series, where he was known as a perennial bridesmaid. Despite finishing as high as 3rd in the championship standings in 2010, Bates was winless in the series from his debut in 2002 until finally breaking through at Hokkaido in 2013.