Shelly Howard Denver wrap up

Howard regains points lead after Denver

MORRISON, Colo. - NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster driver Shelly Howard regained the Division 4 points lead after posting a runner-up finish during this past weekend's Division 5 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event at Bandimere Speedway just outside of Denver. Howard made the finals despite wounding their special 'mountain' motor in round one.

Howard, from Tulsa, Okla., qualified her Tom Conway tuned Blown Alcohol Dragster No. 2 with a 5.686 second pass at 248.02 mph. Howard's elapsed time tied No. 1 qualifier Mark Hentges' time, but Hentges' 252.52 mph speed broke the tie.

In round one, Howard took out Ed Schmeekle with a 5.688 at 251.67 mph, but damaged their Tom Conway prepared 'mountain' motor. The team thrashed in between rounds and put one of their spares in, which was prepared for racing in sea-level like conditions. She was able to still take out Alan Bradshaw in the semifinals with a 5.790 at 248.52 mph.

In the final, Howard squared off against Hentges. Hentges' kept up his pace with a 5.705 at 247.07 mph, while Howard could only run a 5.807 at 246.39 mph.

"Everything was pretty much going good until we hurt that motor in the first round," said Howard. "We broke a main cap and were forced to change motors. Then we had to put one of our spare motors in the car which wasn't built for racing up here. We did the best we could with what we had, but you really have to do some things different to run good up here that we didn't have in that motor. All things considered we're happy to come out of the weekend with a runner-up finish.

The runner-up moved Howard to first in Division 4 standings and sixth nationally. The Howard Racing Team's next event will be the Rugged Liner Nationals in Brainerd, Minn., Aug. 14-17.

-ShellyHoward.com-