Grace Howell loses Cunningham Pro Stock seat

After failing to qualify for NHRA eliminations in each of the last two weeks, Pro Stock racer Grace Howell and Cunningham Motorsports today ended their relationship effective immediately.

The 26-year-old Howell joined Cunningham Motorsports in August 2011, making her debut in the team’s Pro Stock Ford Mustang at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. In 15 races, she qualified for Sunday’s final eliminations three times and recorded a career best run of 6.558-seconds at 210.67-mph. Howell advanced to the elimination rounds three times in nine starts in 2012, but had yet to earn an elimination-round victory.

“For as long as I can remember it has been my dream to race as a professional in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series and I can’t thank Jim and Gloria Cunningham enough for helping to make that dream come true,” said Howell. “Over the last 11 months, I have had the opportunity to compete alongside some of the sport’s best Pro Stock racers and I have learned a lot. Although the time has come for me to move on I wish for nothing but the best for the Cunningham Motorsports organization.”

Howell plans to continue racing, most likely in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series in the short term as she pursues an opportunity return to the NHRA Full Throttle Series on a full-time basis. The Howell family team owns several competitive entries in the NHRA Super Stock and Stock classes including a Ford Mustang Cobra Jet. While she would prefer to continue racing in the highly competitive Pro Stock class, she is also leaving her options open.

“I’ve been racing since I got my first Jr. Dragster at age 8, so no matter what, I plan to continue racing,” said Howell. “I love the Pro Stock class, and I feel like I made a lot of progress as a driver in the last year. Pro Stock is where I want to be but at the same time, I would certainly consider a switch to Top Fuel or Funny Car if an opportunity became available. The bottom line is that I want to continue racing professionally and right now, my focus will be on continuing to make that a reality.”