There are few limits to what drivers are willing to do to win a race. Ross Chastain famously gambled on a daring wall ride to stay in championship contention, as did Christopher Bell. But decades ago, one legendary driver had his own unique way of gaining an edge on the track.
James Harvey Hylton was the embodiment of an independent NASCAR driver. Despite operating on limited financial resources for most of his career, Hylton consistently delivered competitive performances, finishing second in the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup standings three times.
The buzz about Hylton’s ingenuity resurfaced when the NASCAR on NBC handle posted on X, “Imagine if NASCAR cars had horns lol.” Fans quickly turned the lighthearted post into a lively debate, with some suggesting blinkers or even a “Yeehaw” horn sound. The discussion reminded one user of a moment involving Hylton and an audio clip of a conversation between the driver and a presenter.
Hylton, known for his humor and unconventional thinking, once joked about the potential use of a horn in NASCAR. When asked where he’d use it and whether it could give him an advantage, Hylton replied with a chuckle, “Sure, people run around the pit and down the pit road. They’ll scare them out of the way. Oh yeah, just for kicks, you know, to see what it’s like and kind of break up the monotony of it.”
The idea of a horn in NASCAR added an amusing twist to the sport’s history. NASCAR began as a series where bootleggers raced modified cars, but by its official founding in 1947, the focus shifted to speed and performance. Teams quickly learned that stripping cars of non-essential features like horns helped reduce weight. After all, who needed a horn when roaring engines served the purpose?
In 2013, Hylton made his final NASCAR appearance, becoming the oldest driver to compete in a race. While his speed wasn’t on par with younger competitors, his passion for racing shone brightly. Reflecting on the experience, he told the Associated Press, “I know it’s going to be very painful, especially the way this car drives. To be out there running with some of the top guys — before I’d see them disappear, now I can keep them in sight. It’s a tremendous feeling. At the end of the day, it’ll all feel like a dream, but I’m going to make the best of it.” He finished 18th, a testament to his enduring spirit and the admiration he commanded from fans.
Hylton’s career began as a mechanic for Rex White and later as crew chief for Ned Jarrett during NASCAR’s formative years. Eventually, he transitioned to driving, achieving remarkable success. In 1966, he purchased a 1965 Dodge Coronet from renowned race car builder Cotton Owens for $5,500 and, alongside crew chief Bud Hartje, ran a one-car team in the Grand National season.
Hylton claimed his first NASCAR win on November 6, 1966, in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series Cracker 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. He dominated the race, finishing two laps ahead of Donnie Allison, with notable NASCAR stars like Bobby Isaac, Bobby Allison, and Curtis Turner in the lineup. Despite operating on a shoestring budget, Hylton’s determination and mechanical expertise turned his small team from Inman, SC, into a formidable competitor.
Over his career, Hylton secured two Cup wins, at Richmond in 1970 and Talladega in 1972. He also earned 140 top-five finishes and 321 top-10 finishes in over 600 Cup starts. His consistency saw him finish second in points behind Richard Petty in 1967 and 1971, solidifying his legacy as a respected independent driver.
James Hylton passed away in 2018 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of determination, humor, and a true love for racing.
