At 72, Hylton hits track to continue Daytona dream
Veteran racer aspires to make his first Daytona 500 since 1983
By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM January 15, 2007
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The black-and-white image on the side of the nondescript yellow transporter shows the man in his prime, with dark, crew-cut hair and a jutting movie star's chin. James Hylton doesn't remember exactly when it was taken -- sometime in the late 1960s or early '70s, he says. Doesn't matter. He was a racer then, he is a racer now. How else to explain why a man 72 years old, who broke into NASCAR's top division nearly a decade before reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson was even born, was at Daytona International Speedway on Monday preparing to suit up for the second session of Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder? "It's in the blood so deep you can't get rid of it," said Hylton, the now white-haired Inman, S.C., resident, who won two races on NASCAR's premier level and was the series rookie of the year in 1966. "The way I'm looking at it is, I passed the physical and I'm still halfway healthy, so why not?" So armed with a racecar bought from old friend Richard Childress, backed by a childhood buddy who wears a black cowboy hat and sings country music, Hylton is on a somewhat quixotic mission to qualify for the Daytona 500. He wants to be the oldest man to ever make a Nextel Cup race, eclipsing the record of 65 shared by Jim Fitzgerald (Riverside, 1987) and Hershel McGriff (Sonoma, 1993). Why big, fast, sometimes dangerous Daytona? Because on restrictor-plate tracks, drivers can hammer the accelerator and let the car do most of the work. Because Hylton finished third here in a race won by Andretti -- Mario, not John -- in 1967, and cracked the top 10 15 more times here. "I've had success here," he said. "I don't know how many times I've been in the top 10, but I finished third here behind Andretti and Fred Lorenzen. I like these kinds of tracks. I like Daytona, Talladega. This is what I call an old man track. It's not like Charlotte, where you've got to rassle the car through the corner. Here, somebody my age can do it." He's done this kind of thing before, qualifying for a Busch race last year in Milwaukee only to drop out after four laps. That was part of what was supposed to be his "white-flag lap," a final season in which fans sometimes taped dollar bills to the hood of his car to support his financially strapped ARCA team. Retirement lasted only until October, when Hylton went to visit J.C. Weaver on his western Virginia ranch. The two old friends, who once hauled a car to Martinsville Speedway in a logging truck owned by Weaver's father, started talking about racing. And the unlikely comeback attempt was hatched. "He said, 'Well, who is going to sponsor a 72-year-old man?,'" recalled Weaver, who has toured with Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty and Charlie Daniels. "I said, 'I will, and we're going to Daytona.' And here we are." Well, not quite.
James Hylton won at Richmond in 1970 and at Talladega in 1972. Credit: Autostock
With no owner points from 2006, Hylton will attempt to race his way into the Daytona 500 next month against a fleet of well-funded Toyota cars trying to do the exact same thing. He spent more than half of Monday's test session in the garage with radio problems. When he did make it to the track, he ran five laps and was the slowest of 34 drivers testing. He knows NASCAR will be watching him closely over the three-day test to see if he can cut it during Speedweeks. But thus far, there have been no public complaints from other drivers about a 72-year-old mixing it up at 190 mph. Hylton finished 21st in an ARCA race last year at Pocono, Pa., and placed 18th in series points. His Cup car is an old Robby Gordon hand-me-down bought from Childress, who also leased the team an engine and is providing technical support. RCR engineers even set up the car -- which Hylton calls "a rocket " -- at their facility in Welcome, N.C. "The ace in the hole for me is Richard Childress," Hylton said. "Officially, he's not backing this thing, but as a friend, he is. He and I raced together in the early '60s. We traveled together, doubled up our pit crew. I don't know what happened. He went on to be a multimillionaire, and I went on to be poor." But Hylton has earned the admiration of some of his younger competitors. "I hope when I'm 72, someone still feels like giving me a shot so I can keep doing this," said Carl Edwards, 45 years Hylton's junior. "That would be great." There are even bigger dreams, like a 19-race Nextel Cup schedule in which Hylton would drive on the superspeedways and 29-year-old Damon Lusk would handle the smaller, more physical tracks. Hylton has been wheeling racecars since he was a teenager growing up in Roanoke, Va. He's not ready to stop yet. "This is my life," he said. "I started racing when I was 18 up there in Virginia. That's all I've ever done. I'm not trying to be a hero or be a superman. ... I want to prove that even at 70 years old, you don't have to go off to an old folk's home. You can go race a little bit."
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A crew from Richard Childress Racing set up James Hylton's No. 58 Chevrolet for testing at Daytona. Credit: Autostock
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More power to ya old man!
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Kelly Clarkson revs up expansive partnership with NASCAR By Associated Press Friday, January 19, 2007
Kelly Clarkson sings "A Moment Like This," after winning in the final episode of Fox’s television talent competition "American Idol," in Los Angeles, in Season 1, on Sept. 4, 2002. (AP)
LOS ANGELES - Kelly Clarkson will soon be showing her racing stripes in the biggest partnership NASCAR has ever made with a music artist, the sports franchise announced Thursday.
”Anyone who knows me knows I’m a race fan and love NASCAR,” the former ”American Idol” and Grammy-winning singer said in a NASCAR press release. ”I look forward to hanging out with the fans, drivers and the entire NASCAR community.” Clarkson will be ”integrated into all aspects of NASCAR,” including television spots, charitable events and NASCAR’s awards dinner in New York City in December, NASCAR said.
The deal kicks off with Clarkson headlining the Nextel ”Tribute To America” concert airing live on Fox just before the Daytona 500 in Florida on Feb. 18. During the appearance, Clarkson will film a 30-second NASCAR spot for TV featuring a new song from her upcoming third album. She will also serve as a spokeswoman for the fourth annual NASCAR Day on May 18, 2007. Other artists who have partnered with NASCAR include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Lenny Kravitz and LeAnn Rimes. Clarkson’s ”enthusiasm for NASCAR as a fan of NASCAR will surely develop into an unparalleled relationship,” said NASCAR’s Sarah Nettinga in a statement. The 24-year-old singer rose to pop-rock stardom after snagging the first ”American Idol” crown in 2002. Her debut album, ”Thankful,” earned double-platinum status, and the multiplatinum follow-up, ”Breakaway,” garnered two Grammy awards in 2006.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Race victories will become more important than ever in 2007 as a result of adjustments to the points system and the Chase for the Nextel Cup format announced Monday by NASCAR. The adjustments are designed to establish more balance between winning and consistency, but there is a new emphasis on the former. "The adjustments taken [Monday] put a greater emphasis on winning races," NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France said. "Winning is what this sport is all about. Nobody likes to see drivers content to finish in the top 10. We want our sport -- especially during the Chase -- to be more about winning." The Chase -- consisting of the season's last 10 races -- will further reflect the importance of racing to win, via a variety of adjustments.
NASCAR drivers on their own to plan for ’worst-case scenario’ By Associated Press Wednesday, February 7, 2007
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - In a world of million-dollar motorhomes, private jets and McMansions on nearby Lake Norman, it’s hard to argue NASCAR drivers are underpaid. But all that wealth can’t hide this fact: No major league takes a more hands-off approach toward its competitors’ future than NASCAR. ”You really have to plan for things you don’t think are going to happen,” said veteran Jeff Burton, who cautions fellow drivers to spend, save and invest conservatively because a career-ending injury could lurk around the next turn. ”You have to paint a worst-case scenario,” he said.
sport has some sort of pension program for athletes past and present, NASCAR does nothing.
Drivers are beginning to wonder why.
”It doesn’t mean that we need to be paid more in salary,” said Tony Stewart, a two-time Cup champion. ”But it’d be nice to see them take care of us after we race, or take care of the ones that came up before.”
In a sport that celebrates rugged individualism and personal responsibility, drivers are on their own to prepare for life after racing.
NASCAR vice president of communications Jim Hunter said that because NASCAR is not structured like other sports, it isn’t fair to make a direct comparison on pension plans.
”We are not like other sports,” Hunter said. ”The drivers are not employees of NASCAR. They’re independent contractors.”
Unlike their crew members, who get full benefits and 401(k) plans from their teams, drivers are responsible for their finances, health care, retirement and life insurance.
Speedweeks preview February 8, 2006 ATLANTA -- It's time to load up the haulers and head back to the beach for the 49th Daytona 500 -- and don't forget the swimsuit, the sunscreen and the sandbags. Just like salt spray, seashells and sunburn, sandbagging is a tradition at Daytona International Speedway. After two weeks of testing last month, we're left to wonder: Who has something they aren't showing? To use a poker metaphor, Hendrick Motorsports and Chip Ganassi Racing looked to have the best hands, based on single-car testing speeds in January. However, could there be another team that's bluffing in hopes of raising the stakes? That's part of the allure of Speedweeks, which kicks into high gear Friday with Budweiser Shootout practice, culminating in the 500-miler a week from Sunday.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants more than a piece of his father's company. He wants his stepmother to give him majority ownership, a negotiating demand that might force him to part ways with Dale Earnhardt Inc. after this season.
His DEI contract is up at the end of the year, and negotiations have been tense since Teresa Earnhardt seemingly questioned his commitment to the team in a December interview. "The main factor is the ownership part," Earnhardt Jr. said Thursday at NASCAR's annual preseason media day at Daytona International Speedway. "It has nothing to do with money and nothing else really. ... My father has been gone for five, six years now. I want majority ownership. That's basically it." Earnhardt said he was unsure whether his stepmother would be willing to give up ownership. But he seems determined to try.
Congratulations, Your score is 11 out of 15 "You scored well this means you are one of 3 things. 1) You are exceptionally bright. 2) You used to be a redneck but have moved out of the south and are in remission. 3) You are a redneck but trying ot hide it."
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Congratulations, Your score is 13 out of 15 "You are a redneck. Be proud, Stand straight, Stand tall, but stand over there because the wind is blowing the smell of your skoal in my direction."
Boston Red Sox owner John Henry has completed a deal to buy a 50 percent stake in a top NASCAR racing team...
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Stewart starts strong, wins third Shootout
By Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press February 11, 2007
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Tony Stewart drove his way into Victory Lane at Daytona -- one week earlier than he hoped for. Stewart won the exhibition Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night, setting himself up as a top contender to win the season-opening Daytona 500. That's the last of the NASCAR crown jewels that Stewart wants, and he reported to Speedweeks intent on adding it to his resume this year.
He's off to a good start. Stewart nudged Kyle Busch out of the lead with eight laps to go, then calmly drove to his third victory in the all-star event when runner-up David Gilliland never challenged. As Stewart closed in on the finish line, Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran into the back of Elliott Sadler to start a four-car pileup far from the leaders that collected defending race winner Denny Hamlin and Greg Biffle. Toyota, making its Nextel Cup debut, had two cars in the field as the Japanese automaker made its long-awaited debut. But neither Brian Vickers or Dale Jarrett ever contended for the win. Jarrett started on the pole in his new Camry, but quickly fell to the back of the field and finished 18th out of 21 cars. Vickers briefly drove his new Team Red Bull Toyota to the front and paced the field for two laps, but faded and wound up eighth.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - NASCAR took its strongest stance against cheating Tuesday, suspending the crew chiefs for Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs and Elliott Sadler and docking all four drivers points before the season-opening Daytona 500 for failing inspections.
Kahne, Riggs and Sadler are teammates at Evernham Motorsports. Kenseth, the 2003 series champion and runner-up last season, drives for Roush Racing. Robbie Reiser, crew chief for Kenseth, and Kenny Francis, crew chief for Kahne, were suspended four races. Rodney Childers, crew chief for Riggs, and Josh Brown, crew chief for Sadler, were suspended two races. "It's obvious that we've ramped up our penalties and we're going to get people's attention," competition director Robin Pemberton said. "We're going to grab this one by the horns." All four crew chiefs can appeal, a process that could allow them to work the Great American Race. If they do and the committee cannot schedule a hearing before Sunday's race, they would be allowed to participate. But Roush Racing already has a replacement for Reiser, and said the 500 will be the first race he has missed since the team's inception in 1999 — a stretch of 255 races.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Daytona 500 is a wreck before it even gets started. A cheating scandal that had already brought down four teams now has ensnared another — that of two-time winner Michael Waltrip — tarnishing NASCAR's signature race and Toyota's highly anticipated debut.
"We've got people's attention now," NASCAR competition director Robin Pemberton said Wednesday. Waltrip lost his crew chief and team director right before Sunday's Super Bowl of racing. The two were suspended indefinitely after an illegal substance was found during inspection for the season-opener. Waltrip, docked 100 points, will be allowed to participate in Thursday's races that determine the field for the 500. David Hyder, his crew chief, was thrown out of the garage and fined $100,000. Team director Bobby Kennedy also was kicked out. Waltrip said he was "so sad and embarrassed" but tried to shift blame to an unidentified individual within his team. "This is not the action of an organization, a manufacturer or a sponsor," Waltrip said in a statement. "This was an independent act done without consent or authorization from me or any of my executive management team."
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jeff Gordon was relaxed, smiling and enjoying a postrace news conference when someone dropped a bomb: Have you heard reports that your car is too low? The three-time Daytona 500 winner charged from fourth to first on the final lap of his 150-mile qualifying race Thursday, apparently making him a co-favorite with first-race winner Tony Stewart for Sunday's stock car Super Bowl. Gordon was annoyed by the news that his Chevrolet had failed the inspection.
"Are you serious? That sucks. I'm mad about that right now," he said with a look of disbelief. Asked what the penalty should be, Gordon wasn't sure. "I mean, I think I should start the Daytona 500 on Sunday, but where I start will be the other thing," he said. Turns out it will be next to last in the 43-car field. NASCAR inspectors said Gordon's No. 24 Monte Carlo was almost an inch too low, but blamed it on a part failure — not cheating. He was not stripped of the victory. "We feel it was unintentional, and actually fairly unsafe," said NASCAR competition director Robin Pemberton. "We feel that it was a part failure. ... I think it would be marginal at best if there was any advantage." NASCAR said it believed a mechanic made a mistake when the shocks were installed before the race.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - After a week of bad publicity, NASCAR got the kind of thrilling race it wanted. Kevin Harvick won his first Daytona 500 in a spectacular photo finish...
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James Hylton won at Richmond in 1970 and at Talladega in 1972. Credit: Autostock
A crew from Richard Childress Racing set up James Hylton's No. 58 Chevrolet for testing at Daytona. Credit: Autostock 
Henry buys $60M stake in NASCAR racing team
It’s Harvick by a hair in frantic 500 finish
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