7/22/2015
Howard Racing Team’s “Thunder” and “Lightning” Strike at Sweet Springs
(Photo by Hale Photography)
SWEET SPRINGS, Mo. – Redbeard Promotions would like to welcome our newest pair of drivers, Stilwell, Kan. brothers Luke and Blake Howard. Over the weekend, the HRT duo combined to double up on the wins at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex. Each driver charged from 11th in the starting lineup of their respective main events to capture triumphs on the same night for the first time in nearly a year.
With 11 and 12 competitors in the junior sprint and restrictor divisions, respectively, each class would hold two heat races. “Thunder” Blake, in the first junior sprint heat, moved up two positions from his sixth starting spot to finish fourth. Like his brother, “Lightning” Luke also picked up two markers, going fifth to third in restrictor heat two.
As each of the youngsters are leading their divisions in the season points tally, the inversion on points average placed each of them on the inside of row six for their feature events. Eight-year-old Blake navigated his VooDoo Chassis swiftly toward the leaders in the opening laps. By lap 12, he had attained the third position, and when the first- and second-place machines tangled and caused a caution period, the younger Howard accepted the top spot for the restart. Smooth laps through the checkered flag netted Blake his second win of 2015.
The beginning of older brother Luke’s main event would not go without controversy. His main challenger in the points battle, Gunner Ramey, was caught up in an incident before the race ever began, causing damage to the nose of Ramey’s machine. He and Howard, who were scheduled to start 10th and 11th, respectively, would ultimately end up starting side-by-side in row three before a lap was finally completed. Howard’s strong start put him nearing the lead with just two circuits in the books; the eleven-year-old gathered the lead on the following lap. From that point, he set sail early and was unchallenged en route to his third win this year, stretching his top-two count on the season to ten in as many events.
Both drivers extended their points lead with their victories. Luke now leads the restrictor class by 72 points, and Blake owns a 61-point advantage in the junior sprint division.
Howard Racing Team would like to thank Canyon Stone, Cash Kid Digital Studios, Fairfield Motor Sports, Beard Motorsports, Nathan Benson Motorsports, and AdvanTec Dyno Services for their continued support.
Howard Racing Team is next scheduled to compete on July 25 at Sweet Springs Motorsports Complex in Sweet Springs, Mo. with Luke in the No. 2 600cc restricted micro sprint entry, and Blake in the No. 5H junior sprint entry.
Quick Results
Luke: July 18 – Sweet Springs, MO – 600cc Restrictor – Heat: 3rd (5); Feature: 1st (11)
Blake: July 18 – Sweet Springs, MO – Junior Sprint – Heat: 4th (6); Feature: 1st (11)
2015 Stats
Luke: 10 races, 10 features, 3 wins, 10 top fives, 10 top tens, 0 DNFs
Blake: 9 races, 9 features, 2 wins, 8 top fives, 9 top tens, 0 DNFs
