MEMPHIS TN (June 12) - Inman SC native James Harvey Hylton overcame three green flag pit stops to finish 30th in the ARCA Racing Series Racing for Wildlife 200 at Michigan International Speedway.  "The car blew a left front tire going into turn one," stated the 75 year-old veteran "I guess it's a pretty exciting experience to be driving at 200 miles per hour and have a front tire blow."  The blown tire damaged a left front quarter panel fender support on the Radon.com Ford Fusion, which subsequently broke when the car returned to action.  The broken support punctured the left front tire and again Hylton suffered a blow tire.  "I guess I kept the crew on their toes" stated Hylton after the race.

The 200 mile event was captured by Louisiana native Mikey Kile in the Sears Auto Center/Diehard Toyota.  As a result of his 30th place finish, Hylton was able to advance to 33rd place in the ARCA Racing Series Driver Points standings.  Hylton also moved up a notch to 22nd position in the Owner Points standings.  "We didn't get the finish we wanted," stated a reflective Hylton "but we didn't bring home a wrecked race car either.  After the two blown tires, I am pretty proud of that."

The Racing for Wildlife 200 was Hylton's 35th start at the 2 mile oval located in the Irish Hills of Michigan.  During his storied career, Hylton has recorded 28 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts and 7 ARCA Racing Series starts at Michigan International Speedway.  Hylton's first start at the track came on June 15, 1969 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Motor State 400.  Hylton raced his 1969 Dodge Charger 500 (pictured at right) to a 7th place finish in the 200 lap event captured by fellow South Carolinian Cale Yarborough.  Hylton and his Charger led two laps in the event and brought home $2,102 for his efforts.

 Photo credit:  Jeff Bochy and Jayson Reynolds

The Radon.com Ford	James patiently awaits the start	Post-Race
Michigan Int'l Speedway	Pre-Qualifying Tech	James relaxes after race
James takes off his Hans Device	Casualties	The Radon.com Ford