Howes That?

Although neither driver ultimately found victory lane last weekend, it was still a very strong effort from the New Brunswick-based Howes Racing team during NHRA’s Gatornationals….

The father and son team of Wendall and Chris Howes both raced their strong running Mopars during the NHRA Tire Kingdom Gatornationals at Gainesville.

Chris Howes had his strongest showing yet in NHRA national event competition driving his ultra cool 426 Hemi-powered  A/SA ’70 Dodge Challenger.   Chris in fact won five rounds of competition before falling to a red light start in the semifinal round losing out to eventual event winner Russell Link.

Chris Howes had qualified the bright yellow machine #4 overall in Stock eliminator running a 10.034 secs which is .966 under his class index.

Chris Howes went to the "final four" in Stock eliminator

Wendall Howes lost out in round one of Super Stock driving his SS/AH 426 CID ’68 Barracuda.  The veteran racer however did make some big waves by recording his quickest and fastest runs ever (at a national event) in the car.

Wendall rode his machine to a 8.511 secs in qualifying and then ran an even quicker 8.497 secs at 154.71 mph in round one however — that unfortunately came with a -.003 RT.   

According to the team, Wendall’s Barracuda, which is Canada’s fastest Super Stocker and which is dubbed “The Blue Mule” has gone as quick as 8.36 secs at 159+ mph (at the Bradenton divisional race — last February).

Wendall Howes ran career best numbers during the Gatornationals

The third talented member of the Howes Racing faternity (Mark), driver of the team’s SS/AH ’68 Dart, did not make the trip to Gainesville this year as, according to his father, he had to tend to pressing work related issues back home in Rothesay NB.

(Bruce Biegler Photos)