Headline News

Woody Howard Gets First Win as Joe Gibbs Racing Development Driver


HUNTERSVILLE, N.C., (July 8, 2005) - In just his seventh start in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Woody Howard raced his way into victory lane for his first USAR series career win, as well as his first win since becoming the newest Joe Gibbs Racing development driver signed to the program.

“I was almost like, ‘If we don’t win, it’s OK.’ I was just happy to be running up front all night. This was our first time running up front since South Boston. I’ve won some big races before, but this is the best win of my career.” – Woody Howard

Although for much of the night it looked like another Howard was on his way to victory lane, by the name of Shelby Howard, driver of the No. 20 Tony Stewart’s Smoke Bar-B-Que Pontiac started the Advance Auto Parts Pole and set the pace by dominating the first 100 laps.

On lap 75 caution flew on the track giving the teams a chance to take fresh tires, fuel and make any needed adjustments.

Knowing Shelby Howard had a dominant car, most of the teams, elected to short pit under the caution on lap 75. As Howard pitted under the caution the elected to take only two tires, Jeff Agnew elected to four tires that would come into to play in the closing laps of the race. As the field readied to once again take the green Woody Howard would line up fifth on lap 80.

“We just took two tires when we pitted under the caution on Lap 75 and went the final 179 laps without stopping. “When we would put new tires on in the past, I really couldn’t tell that much difference, so we decided to gamble.”- Woody Howard

Woody Howard, driver of the No. 55 Dean Motorsports Chevy, took the lead when the lead-lap cars cycled through pit stops lap 197. Howard had a mirror full of Jeff Agnew in the closing laps of the race, but Howard would hold the field on his way to victory lane.

“I would also like to thank my whole team for all their hard work on this car. We took this same car to Indianapolis Raceway Park earlier this year and almost destroyed it, but my guy’s put it back together and here we are in victory lane tonight!” – Woody Howard.

The next race on the schedule for No. 55 Dean Motorsports team is July 16th at The Motor Mile located in Radford, VA.