Kudos to this guy...

slodave · slodave's Garage

It may be NASCAR, but, it is pretty cool this guy would come out and give it one last try.

SI.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Long after the big-budget NASCAR teams pulled into the Daytona garage, a bright yellow hauler -- sans the logos and pricey paint scheme -- navigated its way through the gate.

Perched behind the wheel of the big rig was 72-year-old James Hylton, whose decades-old image donned the side of the truck. He steered his way past Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and the rest of today's NASCAR stars to his assigned-spot along the fence, then went to work unloading his car...

Follow the link for the whole story.
NASCAR article

Chocaholic · 01-16-2007, 07:40 AM

You have to respect his ambition, but in my opinion, he's doing it for selfish reasons. He admits he's not as good as the other drivers and has little chance of finishing anywhere near the upper half of the pack. More a publicity stunt than anything.

Joeaksa · 01-16-2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chocaholic
You have to respect his ambition, but in my opinion, he's doing it for selfish reasons. He admits he's not as good as the other drivers and has little chance of finishing anywhere near the upper half of the pack. More a publicity stunt than anything.

I would not say that in front of too many guys who are in this age range. The usually do not need to prove a lot and are doing it for one reason... they want to.

I hate CRASHCAR but might watch this one just to see how the gent does!

MotoSook · 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chocaholic
...he's doing it for selfish reasons. He admits he's not as good as the other drivers and has little chance of finishing anywhere near the upper half of the pack...

Yet there are folks getting into racing everyday who are young and who would never finish in the upper half of the pack in a professional race. All they get is glory (if they win anything) and some enthusiats to follow their exploits.

That 72 yr old man is likely faster than a lot of guys driving 911's at DE's and Club Races.

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

You have to respect his ambition, but in my opinion, he's doing it for selfish reasons. He admits he's not as good as the other drivers and has little chance of finishing anywhere near the upper half of the pack. More a publicity stunt than anything.

True. Too bad more people in professional sports aren't like that--doing things for themselves, because they want to--rather than for money or fame. Sounds like he's a real racer. He'd rather be out there racing, than being content on the couch like the rest of us. The best of luck to him.

motion · 01-16-2007, 01:34 PM

I dunno.... a 78 year old guy won the SCCA Formula Atlantic Runoffs about 10 years ago. I was stunned. Cannot even imagine that happening...

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

I thought he was 73, but who's counting. I recall reading a blurb on him in Road & Track. Paul Newman was still racing and winning Daytona (the Rolex 24) at age 75.

Chocaholic · 01-16-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
Yet there are folks getting into racing everyday who are young and who would never finish in the upper half of the pack in a professional race. All they get is glory (if they win anything) and some enthusiats to follow their exploits.

That 72 yr old man is likely faster than a lot of guys driving 911's at DE's and Club Races.

Getting into racing is different than nostalgia or the desire to prove something. The young guy getting a shot at Nascar has the potential to take his/her enthusiasm and talent toward the development of a career in motorsports. Do better than expected and a career is born.

If the 72 year old guy just wants to race because it's in his blood, why not do Club Racing or the like. Nascar is the most publicly visible racing venue in the US at least. Seems to me he's after more than the purist desire to race.

Joeaksa · 01-16-2007, 03:15 PM

Paul Newman might disagree. Its a free world, let the gent show what he has got. Bet its going to be a very good race!

Joe A

PS bet the first young kid to punt this guy off of the track will open a can of whupass...

bigrubberjeep · 01-16-2007, 04:19 PM

At the age of 33 I am still no match to question the desires ambitions and goals of a 72 year old. I'm not that smart, but I am smart enough to know when to zip it.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Chocaholic
Getting into racing is different than nostalgia or the desire to prove something. The young guy getting a shot at Nascar has the potential to take his/her enthusiasm and talent toward the development of a career in motorsports. Do better than expected and a career is born.

If the 72 year old guy just wants to race because it's in his blood, why not do Club Racing or the like. Nascar is the most publicly visible racing venue in the US at least. Seems to me he's after more than the purist desire to race.

He qualified, that says plenty, and if you are gonna be a bear, be a grizzly!!! This guy rocks!!!

slodave · slodave's Garage

There are about 60 drivers shooting for 43 spots. He has not even qualified yet. If he does not make it, no big deal. If he does make it, it just goes to show, that he was a better driver than those he beat out and deserves to be 1 of the 43.