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Colby Howard, No. 32 Project HOPE Foundation Chevrolet

www.arcaracing.com July 17, 2019

Thirteen months ago, teenager Colby Howard made his most recent start in the ARCA Menards Series with a top ten result at Madison International Speedway. This weekend, he returns to the national touring series with Win-Tron Racing and the Project HOPE Foundation at Iowa Speedway for the third start of his career.

 

A year ago, Howard was a relatively unknown driver who performed well with a pair of top ten finishes in two ARCA starts after graduating from late model stock cars in South Carolina and surrounding areas. This year, he brings a much beefier stat sheet, having won multiple pro late model races with Anthony Campi Racing including a handful of statement wins over short track veterans like Bubba Pollard and Augie Grill at tracks like Five Flags Speedway and Montgomery Motor Speedway.

 

“I’m really excited to be back in the ARCA Menards Series and making my first start with Win-Tron this weekend,” said Howard. “With our pro late model success, I was really wanting to try my hand at a bigger car again. I feel like I’ve grown as a driver and my management team at PMG hooked me up with Kevin Cywinski and Win-Tron to give me the opportunity to showcase my talents at this level once more. I’ve always enjoyed tracks where there are multiple grooves, and that’s one reason I’m looking forward to Iowa this weekend. It’s the biggest and fastest track I’ve ever been on, too.”

 

Recently, Howard had the opportunity to travel to the corn belt and test the No. 32 Chevrolet prior to racing it this weekend. As suspected, the short track veteran needed a little time to acclimate to the faster speeds of the .875-mile facility, but he was feeling comfortable by the conclusion of the day.

 

“I’ll admit, I struggled a little bit with the first part of it,” Howard said. “We made some changes after the first couple runs and picked up a lot and were pretty happy with how the day ended. We have a direction now, and I think with a few more tweaks we should have a really good piece for the race.”

 

Since the outset of the season, Howard has been partnered with the Project HOPE Foundation, an autism services organization based near his home outside Greenville, South Carolina. The group delivers a lifespan of services to families of autistic individuals which (H)elp families, (O)pen minds, (P)romote inclusion, and (E)xpand potential for those with autism. Project HOPE has been using their motorsports program to drive awareness and assist in fundraising efforts through special events and appearances with Howard and his racecar.

 

“Sometimes you would think that autism and racing would be very dissimilar,” explained Foundation Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Lisa Lane. “Our kids almost always have sound sensitivities, and nothing is louder than the powerful motors of these beautiful cars. But there are similarities. One of the defining characteristics of autism is repetition, repetitious behaviors, and attention to detail, some of the same keys to success in racing. The kids are always excited to see Colby and his racecars, and we’re really excited about his jump to the ARCA Menards Series and the opportunities it can bring for everyone.”

 

The pairing will hit the track with the ARCA Menards Series for the first time in practice on Friday, July 19, at 11:45am CT. Qualifications roll off at 3:45pm CT while the green flag waves at 8pm CT at Iowa Speedway. The race can be seen LIVE on MAVTV or followed at ARCARacing.com. For more information on Colby Howard, visit his website at ColbyHowardRacing.com.

 

 

ABOUT PROJECT HOPE:

Project HOPE Foundation provides a lifespan of services for the autism community, through programs that help families, open minds, promote inclusion and expand potential. They are broad in their scope, serving across ages (from two to young adults), across the spectrum of autism, and across programs (aba therapy, classroom options, adult employment, social groups, life skills, community outreach, professional trainings). Project HOPE is individualized in their approach, seeking to meet the unique needs of each specific person. Founded in 1997 by moms looking for services for their young sons with autism, Project HOPE Foundation offers programs that benefit not only the child affected with autism, but also the entire family, all of whom are forever changed by their diagnosis. For more information on the Project HOPE Foundation, visit ProjectHopeSC.org.

 

ABOUT WIN-TRON RACING:

Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Win-Tron Racing (Win-TronRacing.com / @WinTronRacing), owned by former racer Kevin Cywinski, is the home of one the most potent ARCA Menards Series single-car operations. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2019, the team will begin its 13th year of competition with a presence in the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.