January 11, 2007

By Rebecca Gladden

Rebecca Gladden

They may be eligible for AARP, but age isn't slowing down several NASCAR drivers who will compete in the elite Nextel Cup series this year.

NASCAR's so-called youth movement has been much ballyhooed recently, and clearly there is a trend in that direction.

In September of 2005, for example, rookie Kyle Busch set a new youth record, becoming the youngest driver ever to win a Cup race with his victory in Fontana at the age of 20 years, 125 days.

Earlier that season, Busch earned the pole at the spring Fontana race, making him the youngest Cup series pole sitter ever at age 19. His then-teammate Brian Vickers scored the outside pole, creating the youngest-ever front row to start a NASCAR Cup race.

The youth movement has created some interesting dilemmas for the race officials. Busch's 2005 Fontana pole qualified him for the 2006 Budweiser Shootout, but because he was under 21, Busch was not permitted to display any Budweiser branded materials on his uniform or his car.

Meanwhile the Procter and Gamble Company has successfully capitalized on the youth trend through its Gillette Young Guns ad campaign, showcasing several of NASCAR's popular 20- and 30-year-old racers.

Nevertheless, when a sea of colorful haulers and motor coaches floods the Daytona infield next month to kick off the 2007 season, there will be a number of drivers age 50-plus with full- or part-time Cup rides. They bring with them not just youth-like zeal, but years of experience behind the wheel of a racecar.

One of those seasoned drivers is 1999 Cup champion Dale Jarrett, who faces a new challenge this year as pilot of the No. 44 Toyota Cup car for Michael Waltrip Racing. Jarrett, age 50, left his Robert Yates team at the end of last season to help usher in the new Toyota era.

"I've been doing this for more than 20 years, but this is something entirely new," said Jarrett. "To be able to be a part of something of this magnitude and helping to build a team from the ground up is an incredible opportunity. There aren't too many athletes who get the opportunity for a challenge like this when they are 50 years old, so I feel very fortunate and am truly excited about this new venture in my career."

Jarrett had the fastest Toyota in Daytona preseason testing on Tuesday with a speed of 184.813 miles per hour.

Ken Schrader, age 51, is expected to compete in 27 of 36 races this season in the No. 21 Wood Brothers/JTG ride. Schrader is known for his relentless drive to compete in many forms of racing including NASCAR, and he shows no signs of slowing down.

"I'm running more races than I did in '84," said Schrader on the occasion of his 700th Cup start last season. "I'll run 120 this year, or right at it. I ran 112 last year. We'll get in more. Yeah, I'm having as much fun as I've ever had. Every bit as much fun."

NASCAR veteran Ricky Rudd is returning to Cup racing this year after taking a season off in 2006. Rudd, 50, was asked about older drivers at this week's Preseason Thunder: "If we're talking about going out and playing in the Super Bowl and your starting lineup is the guys – you had a choice of guys in their 50s or 20s - no question I would line myself up with guys in their 20s, because you have the physical beating that your body would take. Race cars are not like that. A lot of this stuff is mental."

"Can the old guys get the job done, the right ones?" Rudd added. "No question about it."

There are several other drivers in the 50-plus category who may compete at least part-time in the Cup series this season, including Bill Elliott, age 51; Jimmy Spencer, who's turning 50 in a few weeks; and Morgan Shepherd, age 65. There are a number of other racers who will turn 50 either this season or next.

But no other competitor will carry the "you're only as old as you feel" banner more prominently than James Hylton, NASCAR Rookie of the Year in … 1966.

It was announced last week that the 72-year-old driver will attempt to put the No. 58 car on the Daytona 500 starting grid for Richard Childress Racing.

"I've never been able to come to Daytona with a well-financed operation and a first-rate car," said Hylton, explaining his motivation for entering this year's Great American Race. "I've always wanted to be able to race the 500 and not be limited by budget constraints. Even though it has taken over 40 years, I'm finally at that position. At my age the odds against me are astronomical, but it's a challenge, and I love a good challenge."

Hylton's last Cup start was in 1993, while Harry Gant holds the record as the oldest driver to win a Cup race. Gant was 52 years, 219 days old when he won at Michigan International Speedway in August, 1992.

Darrell Waltrip, who turns 60 in a few weeks, empathizes with the desire of older drivers to compete. "I can understand guys not wanting to walk away," said the three-time NASCAR Cup champion.

"This sport gets a hold of you and it just doesn't seem to want to let go."

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.