James Hylton Records Last Career Short Track Start at Salem

Memphis, TN (September 22, 2006) - James Hylton closed out an illustrious short-track racing career with a 27^th place finish in the Eddie Gilstrap Motors ARCA Fall Classic last weekend at Salem Speedway in Salem, Indiana.  Hylton had to overcome engine overheating problems that began taking a toll on the Pop Kola Ford early in the 200-lap race.   “The car was fine as long as we were running under green flag conditions” said Hylton “but once the yellow flag came out and we slowed to the 25 mile per hour caution speed, the temperature gauge went through the roof”.

The Hylton Motorsports team had been on the road since August 10^th, competing in the grueling late summer ARCA RE/MAX Series schedule.  “We’ve been utilizing a shop in Chicago for the last month and we didn’t bring along a lot of our spares from the shop in Inman, South Carolina” said Hylton “this particular radiator had gotten a lot of abuse with the two dirt track races and just wasn’t able to keep the motor cool”.  The Hylton Motorsports crew worked feverously to keep the radiator cool during the race and made frequent stops in order to keep the car running.  “We needed a good finish at Salem in order to stay in the top 20 in ARCA RE/MAX Series points and therefore it was important that we were running at the end of the race” states Hylton.  Hylton is currently 18^th in the 2006 ARCA RE/MAX Series points chase with two remaining races on the schedule. 

Hylton was thrilled by the reception he received from the crowd at Salem and was particularly pleased with a sign one fan held up during driver introductions.  Hylton states “when I looked up in the stands and saw the guy holding a sign that read “Seniors for Hylton”, I knew that regardless of what happened in the race I was going to leave the track happy.  I guess I have finally found a fan base that is mine and mine alone”

(click to enlarge)

James Hylton	James races with Bjorklund	James after dark
Gary Sherman	Micheal McDowell	Brent Sherman
Kevin Swindell	Bobby Gerhart	Jeff Caudill & Mike Harmon
Jason Hedlesky	Terry Jones	Hans-Peter Schappi
Billy Leslie	Mark Gibson	Bobby Gerhart
Bobby at Work	Justin Algaier	Todd Bowsher
Tony Leis	Josh Clemmons	Spinner
Double Barrel	Kevin Swindell	Spotter Kevin Wampler (center)
Man Eater	Frank Kimmel	Ryan Howard
Support Group	James Hylton	Angry Sheep
James Hylton	59 Team	Justin Marks
ARCA Truck	Teamwork	Spring Time
James Hylton Jr	Andy Kilpatrick & Chuck Hylton	Jeff Droke
ARCA Land	Race Fans	Coolest Paint Job Ever