FRASERVILLE, ON – It may have taken him a little while to get there, but the taste of victory was still just as sweet. On Friday, July 6, Howie Crowe was finally able to steer his #28 Crowe Brothers Roofing/Trail’s End/Larry Crowe Sr. sponsored Chevrolet Monte Carlo into the Thunder Car winner’s circle at Kawartha Speedway. The veteran racer from the Alderville First Nation, whose team earned the Dedicated Pit Crew Award at the track’s 2011 banquet, says he’s happy all the hard work has finally paid-off.
“We might be under-funded compared to some of the other teams, but we’ll never be over-worked,” said Crowe, who spent the morning of his race win laying roofing shingles in the hot sun. “This car has felt great since the first practice session of the year. Every week, I thought we were getting closer to this moment and it feels great to finally make it.”
The car being used this season, one of many in the team’s stable, is the same machine Ken Donaldson Jr. drove to the Thunder Car track championship in 2011. Heading into the night, Crowe was sitting 3rd in points behind Matt Spence and Willie Reyns, winners of the first two thunder car events on the schedule. A strong effort saw him earn a win in his qualifying heat and his triumph in the 25 lap main event saw him come from outside the 3rd row on the starting grid.
“I wanted to pace myself and get my rhythm during the opening few laps of the race, but then it was time to go,” said Crowe in victory lane. “Sometimes if you wait too long, the rest of the field can get too far away and you have to over drive the car to catch up. In the end, I had to use a little muscle to get the spot, but it was worth it. Having the Donaldson’s here to celebrate with me is just the icing on the cake.”
Kawartha Speedway takes a mid-season break on Friday, July 13, but the track will be far from silent. The Richard Petty Driving Experience takes over with ride-along and driving racing adventures Saturday and Sunday, July 14-15. Some spots may still be available. For info see www.drivepetty.com/can-tour, or call 1.800.BE.PETTY (1.800.237.3889). Race action returns Friday, July 20, with the annual Fan Appreciation Night. The evening’s program will feature an autograph session and 50-lap Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock main event, as well as NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model and Thunder Car battles. See www.kawarthaspeedway.com for the complete schedule and the latest track news.
From Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
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