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James Hylton

Started by HistoricMustang , Jan 21 2007 14:30

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24 replies to this topic

#1 HistoricMustang

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 14:30

Was fortunate enough to spend some time with Mr. Hylton last evening at the NVRA banquet to advise him of his name being added to the Augusta International Raceway memorial.

Some of us here at TNF are getting a few years under the belt so his current activities at Daytona should be very inspiring!

http://msn.foxsports...r/story/6388114

Photograph last evening at the National Vintage Racing Association awards banquet with Mr. Hylton at the Air Force Museum.

Also, AIRPS was presented a nice amount of money from the NVRA for the 2007 expansion of the AIR Monument.

Am sure Jim or Don may have some interesting stories on this gentleman!

Henry

http://racing-refere...er?id=hyltoja01

Twinny, my TNF searching skills are not the best on the planet so please combine if you deem necessary.

Henry

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#2 HDonaldCapps

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 15:58

Part of the Yang of the Yin & the Yang for the Spartanburg area racers -- the Yin being guys such as David Pearson and Cotton Owens.

I used to call him -- with the greatest of respect -- as "Herman the Turtle, the Mark 2 Improved Version."

Not all that many wins -- one of them was a doozy though, but always right there in the standings at the end of the season for at least a decade or so, starting in 1966. And he did it literally on a shoestring.

A very talented driver, whose style and consistency just somehow never attracted the level of support that it deserved.

A genuinely nice person who soldiered on during the days when Grand National racing was a truly an endeavor.

He will always be the driver of the "48 car" to me.

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#3 ensign14

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 16:01

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps

I used to call him -- with the greatest of respect -- as "Herman the Turtle, the Mark 2 Improved Version."

Not all that many wins -- one of them was a doozy though, but always right there in the standings at the end of the season for at least a decade or so, starting in 1966. And he did it literally on a shoestring.

So what would he have done with a budget?

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#4 HDonaldCapps

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 16:11

Originally posted by ensign14
So what would he have done with a budget?

It is a distinct possibility that Hylton might have taken a few GN championships away from those who ended up with them.

Just my opinion, of course.

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#5 HistoricMustang

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Posted 21 January 2007 - 16:31

Originally posted by HDonaldCapps

It is a distinct possibility that Hylton might have taken a few GN championships away from those who ended up with them.

Just my opinion, of course.

Paragraph ten pretty much sums it up as to how close he came as an "independent" with very little funding.

It would totally surprise me if a position on the starting grid does not take place for this years event........................remember, this is the new NASCAR. Perhaps a "Senior Citizen" provisional?
He is sitting in a Richard Childress "rocket ship".

James Hylton left and Bob Moore right. Both on AIRPS Monument for September expansion dedication.

Henry

http://www.nascar.co...tona/index.html

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#6 HistoricMustang

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Posted 09 February 2007 - 23:00

http://www.jameshylton.com/

This is going to be a very interesting weekend.

In NASCAR country anything can happen, up to and including Mr. Hylton starting the Daytona "500".

Remember, this is NA$CA$H!

I am betting that he makes the field via good timing or a provisional!

Henry

http://www.decadesof...JamesHylton.htm

http://www.scenedail...e_daily349.html

http://sports.espn.g...Id=2&id=2732312

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#7 Jerry Entin

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Posted 10 February 2007 - 00:49

Henry: I don't know Mr. Hylton. However, I feel 72 is by far too old to prove anything to NASCAR. He seems like a very nice man. Daytona is far too fast and dangerous and long of a race for someone who hasn't raced on a Super speedway in years. He has nothing to prove.

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#8 HistoricMustang

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Posted 10 February 2007 - 13:36

Originally posted by Jerry Entin
Henry: I don't know Mr. Hylton. However, I feel 72 is by far too old to prove anything to NASCAR. He seems like a very nice man. Daytona is far too fast and dangerous and long of a race for someone who hasn't raced on a Super speedway in years. He has nothing to prove.

Hi Jerry,
Mr. Hylton has actually remained very active in racing at the top levels including the Talladega track last season with ARCA.

A lot of support coming from NASCAR regulars plus most fans express more comfort with Mr. Hylton than the rookies that will take part in the Great American Race.

Will be interesting to see if his vehicle will carry the "Rookie" yellow stripe on rear bumper.

We will see.

Henry

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#9 rl1856

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 14:50

It would be a feel good moment to see him do well and certainly would generate plenty of positive publicity for Nascar.

However, lets be realistic about this-

No disrespect to Mr. Hylton, but would you as a competing driver trust his reactions if you were abreast of him and something happened in front ? At 200mph, at a distance of less than 12inches ?

I wouldn't.

Best,

Ross

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#10 Bob Riebe

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 17:11

Originally posted by rl1856
It would be a feel good moment to see him do well and certainly would generate plenty of positive publicity for Nascar.

However, lets be realistic about this-

No disrespect to Mr. Hylton, but would you as a competing driver trust his reactions if you were abreast of him and something happened in front ? At 200mph, at a distance of less than 12inches ?

I wouldn't.

Best,

Ross

Gee, I bet the Air Force had those same concerrns when Chuck Yeager took up one of their multi-million dollar jets, until he retired less than five years ago.

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#11 Andretti Fan

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 17:36

Originally posted by Bob Riebe

Gee, I bet the Air Force had those same concerrns when Chuck Yeager took up one of their multi-million dollar jets, until he retired less than five years ago.

General Yeager continued to fly hi power jets even after he retired. How long has it been since Mr. Hylton drove a competitive race car at those speeds. I certainly mean no disrespect to Mr. Hylton, but this just doesn't seem like a very good idea to me.

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#12 Disco Stu

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 18:29

Actually he was racing at those speeds in ARCA last year.

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#13 Angry Onion

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 21:17

Yes in the ARCA race last October at Talladega, to be precise.

To rl1856 - I remember Dave Marcis narrowly dodging a wrecked car sliding right onto him in the 2001 Pepsi 400 at Daytona. He only had a blink of an eye to do it in, and he pulled it off. He was 60 at the time. Yes, 60 isn't 72, but still...

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#14 thomaskomm

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 21:52

Well, those unbelievable experiencied driver like Hylton or Marcis known about such dangerous situation in oval racing. They have both about 2000 oval races on their shoulders. Such experience is unpayable...
They have surely good reflexes..I hope that Hylton shows more this season!!

Thomas ;)

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#15 HistoricMustang

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Posted 12 February 2007 - 23:05

If you were sitting on the grid next Sunday for the Daytona 500 and looked over at the next driver/car would you rather see Mr. Hylton or some guy that does not yet shave?

Henry

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#16 Jerry Entin

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Posted 13 February 2007 - 13:44

Henry: I watched Mr Hylton in qualifying. I have to admit he drove very smoothly and turned a very respectable time. I was surprised he was nearly as fast as Derrick Cope a former Daytona winner. He was 58th fastest with a time of 179.637. He should be congradulated on a fine effort put forward by himself and his team.

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#17 Jim Thurman

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Posted 15 February 2007 - 19:09

I haven't had a chance to delve into this sooner, but wanted to make sure and get this posted before the qualifying race...

If you love NASCAR, you should be rooting for James Hylton and if you really hate NASCAR, you should be rooting for James Hylton.

NASCAR changed it's points system not once, not twice, but three different times - each after James Hylton nearly won the championship. As I recall, someone at NASCAR (perhaps even "Big" Bill France) made some rather pointed comments when announcing the changes to the points systems. Hylton himself was rather bitter about this, justifiably so, and had some interesting replies.

Hylton returned to Cup racing in the early 90's, would qualify, just cruise around (much like "Herman The Turtle") and then just quit. This infuriated NASCAR and it's "new" fans. It was Hylton sticking it to NASCAR, and I for one - loved it, because of the history behind it. I feel Hylton in the early 90's played a part in NASCAR's re-tooling of the provisional rule as much as major sponsors missing events.

Sadly, there is no realistic way for James Harvey to make the '500', particularly with NASCAR's rules in place to keep "outsiders" out, but I would love to see it, if only to embarass NASCAR. Go, James, go.

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#18 HistoricMustang

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Posted 15 February 2007 - 22:41

Well, being in the near 60 group I am proud! :clap:

Henry

http://www.nascar.co...unofficial.html

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#19 Hugewally

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 05:35

Sadly, James didn't get in...

http://www.motorspor...e.asp?ID=243580

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#20 HistoricMustang

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 11:31

Originally posted by Hugewally
Sadly, James didn't get in...

http://www.motorspor...e.asp?ID=243580

Stay tuned...................."it ain't over 'til its over"!

The racing season has just begun and yes this is nostalgic. :smoking:

Henry

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#21 Frank Verplanken

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 13:51

What made me uncomfortable with James Hylton's otherwise sympathetic attempt at the Daytona 500 was not so much his supposed lack of reflexes etc. on the track, but rather the consequences of a crash for him. Having a 72 year old gentlemen crash at 300 km/h must be a challenge for the human body... Even if the said body has been in racing cars since 40+ years and probably had his fair share of 300 km/h shunts in the past. Your pictures Henry show an apparently fit and healthy James, but it still makes me uncomfortable...
Anyway, how long before NA$CAR launch a "Goold Old Masters" series ? No long imho !

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#22 ensign14

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 14:03

Originally posted by Frank Verplanken
Anyway, how long before NA$CAR launch a "Goold Old Masters" series ? No long imho !

Already been done. They had a one-off race for veterans about 15 years ago. IIRC Junior Johnson spent most of the time wrecking people. Race was won by Elmo Langley, who had kept up with things by driving the pace car in NASCAR for years.

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#23 Obster

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 21:31

Yes-I, too, was concerned about his health and stamina in a 500 mile race at the pace they run today-especially in warm weather. That is why the 150 was perfect for him. Great to see him drive again. To me he is the "real" #48.

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#24 HistoricMustang

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Posted 16 February 2007 - 22:45

Originally posted by Frank Verplanken
What made me uncomfortable with James Hylton's otherwise sympathetic attempt at the Daytona 500 was not so much his supposed lack of reflexes etc. on the track, but rather the consequences of a crash for him. Having a 72 year old gentlemen crash at 300 km/h must be a challenge for the human body... Even if the said body has been in racing cars since 40+ years and probably had his fair share of 300 km/h shunts in the past. Your pictures Henry show an apparently fit and healthy James, but it still makes me uncomfortable...
Anyway, how long before NA$CAR launch a "Goold Old Masters" series ? No long imho !

Here in the States this effort is really picking up speed with us older and forgotten NASCAR "former" fans. With a 17 NASCAR race schedule ahead of James and the construction of a COT (Car of Tomorrow) for NASCAR competition later in the 2007 season you are going to be seeing a lot of Mr. Hylton. Remember he is now a part of the NA$CAR marketing machine!

Having met him just a few weeks ago he is in top shape both physically and mentally. We should not worry about this gentleman who is giving a lot of people a very good lift in spirits.

Would not the same be occurring if Jackie Stewart decided to give it another shot?

Henry