HILLSBURGH, ON- When Jordan Howse’s No. 72 was towed to the Sunset Speedway pit area on August 15th, it appeared as though the wildly talented sophomore could be done for the season.
The second-generation racer had made hard contact with the speedway’s inside retaining wall along the front straightaway whilst battling his way up through the field, resulting in the front end of his Ford Mustang being completely destroyed. However, after two weeks of all-nighters in their family-owned race shop, Howse and his team are ready to return to action this weekend.
“When we got home and pulled the car out of the trailer, I felt sick to my stomach,” explains Howse. “To see all that hard work and hours in the shop undone in an instant was pretty tough to stomach. We had come so far and made so many gains that it was hard to even look at what was left of the front end”
Reports initially began to trickle out that Howse’s ride was damaged beyond repair. However, Jordan and father Paul wasted little time in rehabilitating their wounded ride. With the help of their volunteer crew, their Stewart’s Equipment-backed entry was ready for its return with only days to spare.
“I thought we were done. I was sure of it,” admits the championship contender. “But, the whole ride home, my Mom and Dad told me not to worry. That it could be fixed. And, Sunday morning, we were back in the shop getting it straight again”
“We weren’t ready to quit,” adds Howse. “I can’t possibly thank everyone enough for getting this car back together again. Without every single person that stopped by to lay hands on this thing, we would not have had a hope of getting back to the track”
Howse will enter this Saturday’s event 4th in Mini Stock division points, just 19 points removed from the lead. For the Hillsburgh, ON star, this simply places a greater emphasis on winning races.
“Our goal is to win the next three races,” says Howse matter-of-factly. “I’m not sure how crazy that makes me sound, but that’s our plan. We’ve had bad nights before and have come back from them strong. This team can get through just about anything. We’re just crazy enough to keep going”
“And, you can’t stop crazy”
For information on August 29th’s event, visit www.SunsetSpeedway.ca.
Jordan Howse’s 2015 campaign would not be possible without Stewart’s Equipment, Kubota, Glenn Windrem Trucking, Paul Howse and Associates, Central Industrial Supply, Foodland of Hillsburgh, Progressive Waste, Howse Automotive, John Teune Engines, FierceWraps.ca, MacMaster Motorsports, Chris Braiding and Georgia Beck Brooms.
Fans can keep up with Jordan on Twitter @JHowse72 and on Facebook at the brand new Jordan Howse Racing page.
By Spencer Lewis (@itsspencerlewis)
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