JGR Development Driver Woody Howard Scores a Third Place Finish at South Boston Speedway

SOUTH BOSTON, VA (April 4, 2006) - Joe Gibbs Racing development driver and 2005 Miller Lite Rookie of the Year, Woody Howard, brought home a 3rd-place finish at South Boston Speedway (VA) this weekend. The Aaron's 250 in South Boston, VA was the first race for the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Northern Division's 2006 season.

Howard started up front by qualifying third in the 32-car line-up. For much of the first 100 laps, Howard ran up front with former champions Benny Gordon and Clay Rogers and Jack Bailey. The four drivers ran separate grooves and side-by-side with Rogers and Howard running the high line, while Gordon and Bailey hugged the apron.

"That's one thing I really like about SoBo," said Howard. "From week to week lines change around here. When Benny saw me coming, he would move up. I really couldn't do anything on the bottom anymore. Everything was running good tonight but we were a little off on the setup."

By lap 100, the four lead cars separated themselves from the pack, but the biggest scare was in front of them. On Lap 107, a lapped car spun out in front of the leaders. Howard made it through unscathed and once the caution came out, most of the lead-lap cars took the opportunity to come to pit road.

Five cars elected to stay on the track and lined up ahead of Gordon, Rogers, Howard and Bailey. After the restart, another car spun out in front of Howard, causing him to bounce off the wall trying to avoid the wreck. Luckily, Howard had little damage from the incident and continued his effort to race to the front after the restart.

After 14 cautions and one red flag, Howard took 3rd place at the checkered flag and second in points for the Northern Division. Be sure to catch the re-play of this action-packed race on the SPEED channel, 5PM ET Wednesday, April 5, 2006 and Friday, April 7 at noon ET.

Woody Howard and the Dean Motorsports #55 team will take the green flag again on April 22, 2006 at 7PM ET at Lonesome Pine Speedway in Coeburn, VA.