May 16th

NASCAR DAY Pins
can be purchased from James Hylton Jr at Hylton Motorsports in Inman SC
 

 

 

 

 
Hantz Group 200
Toledo, Ohio
May 18th

   
 
James Hylton returned to Rockingham Motor Speedway for the first time since February 28, 1993 to compete in the ARCA RE/MAX Series Carolina 500.  Hylton damaged the car during practice on Friday, sending the crew into overdrive as they worked to repair the mangled front end.  Post-qualifying repairs forced the car to start at the rear of the 50 car field for the Sunday race.
 
 
 
"I feel like I'm at the controls of a rocket" stated Hylton over the radio as he roared into 38th place in less than ten laps.  "This Ernie Elliot motor was the strongest motor I've had in my career" stated Hylton "It was unbelievable".  However, Hylton's run was sidetracked on lap 10 as he slowed to avoid the spinning car of A J Henriksen and was struck from behind by rookie driver Justin Loftin.  Hylton went on to complete 271 laps of the 312 lap event and finished 28th. 
 
 
 
 

 

James Hylton has been selected by Ray Fox's Living Legend of Auto Racing to receive the organizations Dedicated Service Award.  The award will be presented February 11, 2009 at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

The Living Legends of Auto Racing was founded in 1993 in an effort to recognize, honor and promote the pioneers of beach racing and stock car racing.  The organization's President is legendary NASCAR car owner Ray Fox.  In 198 NASCAR SPRINT Cup starts, Fox's cars claimed 14 wins, 62 Top-Fives and 85 Top-Tens.

Carl Long, James Hylton and Ray Fox autograph helmet for
Fan at Daytona in February 2008

 

 

 

 1975 Chevrolet Laguna S3

Builder: Hylton Motorsports
Engine: Chevy 358
Transmission: Borg-Warner T-10
Chassis: Fabricated Banjo Matthews Chassis
Suspension:

 

Front - Screw Adjustable Coils / Fabricated Control Arms

Rear  - Screw Adjustable Coils Springs, truck arms and Panhard Bar

 

By 1975, the large block motors that had once dominated NASCAR were gone and the only factory that was supporting  series drivers was Chevrolet.  Chrysler was on its way to a government bail-out and Ford was busy continuing to destroy the Mustang.  Enterprising Chevrolet engineers grafted a sloped urethane nose onto its Malibu and added louvers to the side windows.   Their new creation would be termed the Chevrolet Laguna S-3.  The Laguna S-3 would prove so superior to its competition that in three years, it would basically be banned by NASCAR.

Hylton Motorsports upgraded its two Malibus to Laguna S-3 configuration before the 1975 season.  In 1975, Hylton competed in all 30 NASCAR Winston Cup Series events contested and placed third in the season long points race.  During the season, Hylton recorded two Top-Five finishes and sixteen Top-Ten finishes in route to collecting $113,641.86 in earnings.  Hylton would also utilize Laguna S-3's to capture a sixteenth position in 1976 and a seventh position in 1977 in the NASCAR Winston Cup driver points standings.

In 1977, one of the Lagunas would be traded to Richard Childress Racing for a Chevrolet Monte Carlo.  The Monte Carlos engine placement offered superior handling on short tracks over every other series contender.  In 1978, NASCAR placed a restrictor plate on the Laguna S-3 and most teams converted their cars into Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 models.  Hylton Motorsports would convert its Laguna S-3 into a 442 for usage during the 1978 season.  The Olds 442 still resides dutifully in South Carolina awaiting restoration

 


 
 

Story of James Hylton's legendary victory at the 1972 Talladega 500

Pictures and Results from  NASCAR races at  Nashville

Narrative of the GN East Series

EM Motorsports

Rhino's Energy Drinks

Special Thanks to Evelyn Hylton, Hank Kohn, Russ Thompson, Ed "Stretch" Overton, Bob Durnell, Ray Lamm, Fred Marchman and Tommy Marchman for all the amazing photos from the past; to Faye DeTuccio for her leadership and determination in handling the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame project; to 1960 Grand National Champion Rex White and Harlow Reynolds for all their work on the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame Project and to Allison Droke, Sherri Hoenshell, Bethann Puterbaugh, Chris Knight, Don Radabaugh Andy Belmont and Jim Finfrock for the help during the 2006  season. Thanks also goes to  Ray McCormick, Ted Christopher and Carl Long for the 2007 season and to Tyler Tucker for the 2008 season.


Website and all contents property of James Hylton, Jeff Droke, Allison Droke and Hylton Motorsports

Happy Motoring !!