DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Some say racing is for the young at heart, and that's especially true for 72-year-old NASCAR driver James Hylton.

"A senior can do the same thing a young person can do," Hylton said. "He may not do it as fast, but he can get it done."

Hylton's NASCAR career began in 1966, before most of today's stars were even born.

Even though his last victory was 35 years ago at Talladega, Hylton strolled around the Daytona garage this week with a swagger that's usually reserved for drivers half his age.

"I'm racing for every senior, and as I look around, there are a lot of them here," Hylton said.

There are also the young admirers who like this example of a man who remembers NASCAR before the days of corporate logos and TV ratings.

Hylton said he's here because he wants to race and maybe get across a slice of social commentary in the process.

"These large companies want to downsize and get rid of their older workers, but they don't realize the experience they're throwing away," Hylton said.

Hylton failed to qualify for this year's Daytona 500, but he's still planning on racing in Bristol, Tenn., for the Food City 500 next month.