Woody Howard takes second at Salem Speedway (IN)

Kathy Boyd Photo

SALEM, IN (July 31, 2006) - Joe Gibbs Racing development driver Woody Howard had the crowd on their feet with his second place finish at Salem Speedway's BFGoodrich Tires 250 presented by Holley Performance Saturday night.

"It wasn't the win we came here for but 5 more laps and it may have been. The late race cautions didn't help us out but we're finally back where we hoped to be much earlier in the season," said Howard.

During qualifying, Howard lost the pole to Benny Gordon by a mere 1/1000th of a second. But at the drop of the green flag Howard took the lead. Howard led the field for 51 laps until Jeff Agnew got by on lap 52. By evenings end there would be six lead changes by 4 different drivers. Howard led 114 of the 250 laps taking home the Greased Lightning Super Strength Performer award. (Most laps led).

Between laps 188-229 Agnew, A J Frank, and Howard had the fans on their feet as they battled for the lead, challenging one another on the high-banked track. Howard would evntually pass Frank for a second place finish.

Howard is currently third in points in the Northern Division just 79 points behind second place Jeff Agnew. You can catch all the action on SPEED this Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 4PM ET or Friday, August 4th at noon ET.

Woody Howard and the #55 Dean Motorsports team will race live at South Boston Speedway this Saturday, August 5th at 7PM. Be there!