James Hylton made 16 ARCA starts in 2006, with a best finish of 29th. Credit: James Hylton

Track Smack: Rock of ages ... keep a-rollin'

James Hylton, 72, is going to attempt the Daytona 500. Is this a joke?

Ryan Smithson: Nice story, but it will be exceptionally difficult for him to make it. So many cars, and at his age, he is giving up a lot to the younger guys. I know it is just holding the wheel, but ...

Duane Cross: Sadly, it is not a joke. But hey, if he can qualify the car -- let him race. I just hope he doesn't get hurt during practice or qualifying. That would be one helluva black eye for the sport.

Dave Rodman: No. Racing, particularly at this level, is no laughing matter -- considering the personal risk everyone strapped into a car puts themselves at. But with all the extra things at stake for teams, sponsors, owners and drivers -- I wish James had borrowed something else from Childress -- a rifle, to go get a challenge on safari.

Mark Aumann: He supposedly has purchased a car and engine from Richard Childress, which could be good enough to make the race. Still, I just can't see Hylton being fast enough to get in on time. However, stranger things have happened in the qualifying races.

Ryan Smithson: This is a sure-fire sign that the Social Security system in this country is a flat-out failure.

Duane Cross: I've advocated a series for older drivers ... I just never envisioned a 70-year-old guy wanting to get back in the mix. Talk about your "Seniors" tour!

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Mark Aumann: They better make sure he's in Duel 1, so he can still make it to the early bird special at Morrison's Cafeteria.

Ryan Smithson: Hylton will respectfully have the applesauce, not the steak.

Dave Rodman: But we should know that a couple pieces of hardware aren't all that a serious qualifying effort for any race -- never mind the 500 -- consists of.

Duane Cross: Dave, it won't affect any of the teams with legit aspirations. If it does, I'll buy steak and beers for Hylton's team at the restaurant of their choice.

Dave Rodman: It won't intentionally affect them -- but a blown engine or wheel falling off or a simple driving error could have catastrophic consequences -- considering its Daytona -- probably not for just one victim.

Duane Cross: Even if it happens to "a" team, there will be 10 others in line before Hylton's number comes up.

Ryan Smithson: James Hylton is a dead ringer for the late Jim Stockdale, who died last year. You guys probably don't know who he is, though.

Duane Cross: Yeah, we all know Stockdale -- he's the one who couldn't remember who he was.

Check their birth certificates! Credit: Getty Images

Mark Aumann: I knew Jack Kennedy. And you, sir, are no Jack Kennedy!

Ryan Smithson: That was Lloyd Bentsen.

Duane Cross: That was Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle.

Mark Aumann: Oh, very nice. Stockdale was Perot's guy. Mark Martin and Ross Perot, separated at birth?

Ryan Smithson: The bad thing is, a lot of the media that dislikes NASCAR to begin with, like some of the people at ESPN that can be seen on Pardon the Interruption, will use this to ridicule NASCAR.

Duane Cross: Ryan, how do you know no one at ESPN likes NASCAR? Who can hear for all the yelling? Hey, Sean "I never met a defensive back I couldn't throw a pick to" Salisbury: Shut up, dude!

Dave Rodman: It's another example of how NASCAR racing is "different" from other sports. And other sports' advocates are too narrow-minded to accept or acknowledge that.

Ryan Smithson: We need to come up with some sponsor combos. Denture Creme. Cialis.

Imagine the marketing possibilities! Credit: Autostock

Duane Cross: Viagra, come on back!

Ryan Smithson: I hope he wins the freakin' Bud Pole now.

Mark Aumann: Well, he made the Busch race at Milwaukee this year, and then parked after four laps with brake problems.

Ryan Smithson: Yeah, he couldn't find the brake.

Duane Cross: And Hylton's last Cup start -- March 28, 1993, at Darlington -- ended after 62 laps because he "quit." ... Guess he's had enough time to rest up for this next start.

Mark Aumann: A win would more than double his winnings from 601 previous starts.

Ryan Smithson: Even if he made the 500, there is no way he could physically drive all 250 laps. I mean, there is a limit, right?

Mark Aumann: Two-hundred laps at 2.5 miles there, Ryan.

Dave Rodman: Well, for starters, it's 200 laps. It has been a long offseason, hasn't it?

John Glenn's return to space in 1998 was out of this world. Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Good point.

Duane Cross: And even though it's a 200-lap race, Hylton won't be on the lead lap.

Ryan Smithson: I wonder if he will prep for the race by doing some online racing?

Mark Aumann: Well, that would prove that NASCAR drivers are athletes.

Ryan Smithson: Minnie Minoso was a great athlete into his 80s. Right?

Duane Cross: Actually, Minnie got out of the game at 38 -- then returned at 50 ... retired ... came back at 54.

Mark Aumann: John Glenn was 77 when he went back into space.

Dave Rodman: As a sideshow.

Ryan Smithson: John Glenn doesn't have the chance to collect $256,432 for finishing 43rd.

Duane Cross: And neither does James Hylton, realistically.

Minnie Minsoso played in the '50s and five games in his 50s. Credit: AP

Dave Rodman: And he has about as much of a chance to qualify. ... Less, actually. Space shots aside, I don't think he'd be approved.

Ryan Smithson: Call Brett Bodine and find out, Rodman.

Duane Cross: You gotta think not. I hope not -- for James' safety.

Dave Rodman: I was talking about Glenn being approved. I am sure James is an automatic check mark -- if he passes his physical -- which I bet would be a foregone conclusion.

Mark Aumann: Shoot, Richard Petty won't turn 70 until July. He's still a spring chicken.

Ryan Smithson: Would we be laughing if Hershel McGriff decided he wanted to run Daytona? Hershel is like 80.

Mark Aumann: He will be in December.

Dave Rodman: From my recollection though, Hershel was more competitive in his venue when he stepped out of the seat.

Mark Aumann: Hershel was a 45-year-old Daytona 500 rookie in 1973. And he made $6,025 for finishing fifth. How times have changed.

Should NASCAR follow the FAA and mandate a retirement age?

Dave Rodman: If you can pass the physical you can play. Comparing the FAA and NASCAR is grapes to watermelons.

	James Hylton shares a moment with Donnie Allison last year at Talladega. Credit: James Hylton
	A 70s SHOW With a car acquired from Richard Childress Racing, 72-year-old James Hylton announced plans to enter the 2007 Daytona 500.  •   Complete story, click here •   Career stats, click here

Mark Aumann: But what would you base it on? Would it be calendar age or a certain level of physical and mental fitness?

Duane Cross: And that -- merely passing the physical -- is where the qualifications should start, not end.

Ryan Smithson: I honestly think Mark Martin, who is a rare case, could be competitive at 60. Like Chase competitive. But he is 1 percent of the people out there.

Mark Aumann: Harry Gant is still the oldest NASCAR winner at 52. Is there anybody out there who can top that?

Ryan Smithson: Dale Jarrett might win a plate race in 2008. He won't be 52, though.

Duane Cross: Again, the sport has to think about the potential fallout from a 72-year-old man dying on the track. Guys, he was born when FDR was in office. C'mon, this is ridiculous to even fathom.

Ryan Smithson: FDR was in office for a long time, though. So that counts for something. I mean we're talking a 13-year period here.

Mark Aumann: Half the field is probably about the same age as his grandchildren.

Duane Cross: OK, John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde were starring in real-life shoot 'em ups ...

Ryan Smithson: Hoover was in office when McGriff was born, just in case anyone cares.

Mark Aumann: The only other driver that comes to mind who was still competitive up to 50 was Bobby Allison.

Duane Cross: Fact: The first All-American Soap Box Derby was held in Dayton, Ohio, in 1934. Think any of those guys are capable of wheelin' it at Daytona? Me either.

The opinions expressed are solely of the participants.