Though the 1977 racing season had ended for most, the business-side of racing continued. Now - and then - the business aspect of racing never seems to have an off-season. On December 3, 1977, James Hylton started looking towards the future of his team. He signed Al Holbert to a part-time schedule for 1978, and Hylton slotted himself to race in the remaining races. The partnership was reported in the December 4th edition of the Spartanburg Herald Journal .
The initial plan was for Holbert to race in 10 events in 1978. Turns out he raced Hylton's car in 12 races. In the summer Talladega 500, Hylton fielded his familiar 48 for Holbert while he drove Al Rudd's #12 Buick as a 'teammate' to his son Ricky's #22 Buick.
The relationship only lasted one season. Of his 19 career Cup starts, 12 of them were in Hylton's car in 1978. He returned in 1979 to run the final 6 races of his short-lived Cup career.
A few pics of Holbert in Hylton's 48 in '78 have been shared on RacersReunion.
Daytona - Danny Quick collection
Bristol - David Staten collection
Dover - Lee Greenawalt collection
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 03/06/18 10:26:07AM
