James Hylton to enter Daytona 500

Stock Car Racing Legend James Hylton Enters Daytona 500

Memphis TN (January 1, 2007) - 1966 was a year of change and new beginnings in America. Ronald Reagan was elected Governor in California and began a political career that would lead to the White House; NASA began test launches for the Apollo series, thus starting a program that would result in a successful moon landing in 1969; and James Harvey Hylton was named "Rookie of the Year" in NASCAR's Grand National Division, starting an amazing career that would span five decades.

During his career, Hylton would go on to finish second in NASCAR Grand National points in 1966, and repeat that performance during the 1967 and 1971 seasons. He would also score wins in the 1970 Richmond 400, the 1970 NASCAR Grand American Citrus 250 and the 1972 Talladega 500 along with capturing four pole positions in NASCAR Winston / NEXTEL Cup competition. During his career, Hylton recorded 140 Top-Five finishes and 301 Top-Ten finishes in NASCAR Winston / NEXTEL Cup and in 2006, he finished 18th in points in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

When asked why he has sat his sites on the 2007 Daytona 500, Hylton states "I have never been able to come to Daytona with a well-financed operation and a first-rate car. I have always wanted to be able to race the 500 and not be limited by budget constraints and even though it has taken over 40 years, I am finally at that position. At my age, the odds against me are astronomical but it's a challenge and I love a good challenge."

Long-time friend J.C. Weaver and his upcoming music festival, GrahamFest, will sponsor James. Weaver is owner of Mountain Rock Music, a publishing and recording company. During the eighties, Weaver's production efforts yielded a total of 12 songs that charted in Cash Box Magazine's Top 100. Weaver is a performer in his own right and has toured with such country music superstars as Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty. GrahamFest will be a major concert featuring rock and country music talent and is planned for Labor Day weekend 2007, in Max Meadows, Virginia.

James Hylton will drive the number 58 Chevrolet Monte Carlo built and prepared by Richard Childress Racing of Welcome, North Carolina. The car was constructed on a Ronnie Hopkins chassis and is powered by engines from the RCR shop. A crew chief for the team will be named during January. Hopkins is also constructing a "Car of Tomorrow" for Hylton Motorsports, which will debut in March at Bristol.

When Hylton Motorsports comes to Bristol, Damon Lusk of Kennewick, Washington will take Hylton's place in the seat of the number 58 car and Hylton will become Crew Chief. Lusk has two wins in ARCA RE/MAX Series competition along with along with 10 Top-5 and 23 Top-10 finishes. Lusk has also recorded 17 NASCAR Busch Series starts and six Craftsman Truck series starts. Lusk raced for Hylton Motorsports in 2000 and won his first pole at Springfield while driving for James Hylton. "We are looking at running 19 NEXTEL Cup races in 2007 and Damon is a perfect fit for our plans" states Hylton "Over the years Damon has exhibited that he has the ability to step up to NEXTEL Cup level. Damon had a good run in 2006 in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and 2007 will give him a chance to move up to the next level." Damon Lusk career statistics in NASCAR Busch Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck and ARCA RE/MAX Series competition can be seen at : Damon Lusk - Career Statistics

James Hylton has competed in 16 Daytona 500s, with his best finish being a third in 1967. "I was running a 1965 Dodge that I had purchased from Cotton Owens and was staying on the led lap until I had a tire go down late in the race" states the racing legend "I had little financial backing, I was running with nothing". Hylton still managed to finish third behind winner Mario Andretti and second place finisher Fred Lorenzen and collect $10,925 for his efforts. Hylton's Daytona 500 career statistics are available at: James Hylton - Daytona 500 Stats

-credit: Hylton Motorsports