Both Ends of the Spectrum

They keep getting younger. HMS has recruited a seventeen-year-old high school senior, Landon Cassill, who has been impressive in ASA racing. Granted, he won't be racing in a Cup car--or, for that matter a Busch car or a CTS truck, anytime soon, although he has been testing for Hendrick, and will be driving a COT in testing. Still, it is always interesting to note the potential "up and comers" and see if they live up to the early publicity when they do get to drive in a race.
Now, to the other end of the age spectrum, seventy-two year old James Hylton will attempt to start his first Cup race since 1993 by qualifying for the Daytona 500. I hope, in a sport where 48 years is considered "old," that he does at least get to start the race. Hopefully his synapses and instincts are still sharp and he can get around the track without too
much trouble. At the same time, we should remember that, though Hylton might be the oldest to race a NASCAR race, while last year, Paul Newman ran in the American LeMans Series race at Lime Rock, at the age of eighty-two. It would be fun to see the old guy race.