Hylton won’t attempt to compete in Daytona 500

The preliminary entry list for the Feb. 17 Daytona 500 includes 52 cars, but does not include James Hylton. The 73-year-old has decided not to compete in the season-opening NASCAR Sprint Cup event after previously announcing his plans to attempt to run the race. He says that team owner John Carter had planned to have him a car for the race, but it didn't work out.

Hylton planned to run as a teammate to Carl Long under the E&M Motorsports banner, using Long's backup car in the Daytona 500.

"They were building a new car of tomorrow car," he said Thursday during NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. "I came down here and tested with Carl Long early on. Then they were building a backup car, and the plan was bring the backup car, and if he didn't need it, I was going to enter it and run in it."