Headline News

Woody Howard's Engine Woes Do Not Diminish Rookie-of-the-Year Hopes

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (November 8, 2005) - Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Woody Howard overcame a costly engine change during practice for the Dan Duncan Kroger 250 to finish third and is all but assured to win the 2005 Hooters Pro Cup Series Miller Lite Rookie of the Year Award. With one race remaining on the schedule Howard just has to make the field and start the race at at the Four Champions Memorial Hooters 300 on Saturday, Nov.26 at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL.

Howard's motor blew with just 30 minutes remaining in the only practice session and had to be replaced before qualifying. Fellow Joe Gibbs Racing development driver, Joey Logano stepped up and scuffed his tires for him while the motor swap feverishly took place.

After a few shake down laps with the new power plant, Howard qualified third with a hot lap of 16.604 sec.

By lap 78 of the 250-lap event Howard had passed the No. 32 of Mark McFarland for second place. The leaders came in to pit on lap 108 and the team's effort got Howard off pit lane first. Sam Fullone did not pit so that put Howard in second at the restart. But just two laps after the green flag Howard took the lead, grabbed the $1,000 Lucas Oil Product Halfway Lap bonus and five valuable bonus points.

Once out front Howard led a total of 85 laps before being passed for the lead by Shane Huffman.

"Our car was tight all night, and I had to use the brakes more than I wanted to," said Howard. "We just needed to get the car a little freer."

Along with the Lucas Oil Products 1/2 Way Leader Award Howard took the Miller Lite Rookie of the Race Award with his third-place finish.

All Howard will have to do at the Hooters 300 season finale in Lakeland, FL is start the race to take the 2005 Hooters Pro Cup Series Miller Lite Rookie of the Year and the $40,000 bonus. Howard has a 111-point lead over Joey Logano, with one race remaining.

"That was our goal when we started the season," said Howard. "We wanted to win the overall title, but realistically we thought we could win rookie of the year."

You can catch Howard and the #55 Dean Motorsports team at the Four Champions Memorial Hooters 300 on Saturday, Nov.26 at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL. for the final race of the Championship series.

The Dan Duncan Memorial Kroger 250 from Motor Mile Speedway can be seen on the SPEED channel, Sat., Nov. 12th at 10 PM eastern and Friday, Nov. 18th at 12 noon eastern.