Joe Howard

Competitor
CLASS OF 2023
Veterans Committee Selection

Joe Howard started racing at Westboro Speedway in 1970 driving a 1958 Ford. He would capture the Novice division championship running against mostly Chevy-powered cars.

Then from 1971-1974, he found success at the old Tuesday night series at Riverside Park Speedway, winning two more titles driving Franny Miller’s Grand American.

He would next team up with Stretch Anthey and build a small-block modified. Their 1x numbered car was one of the first cars with 180* headers. Howard won the 1979 Small Block Modified Championship at Thompson Speedway against the likes of Ron Bouchard and George Savary.

In 1981 Joe teamed up with car owner Bob Stearns and drove his U2 car regularly at Westboro and Thompson.

Howard’s career was cut short after a horrific crash at Stafford Speedway in 1982, putting an abrupt end during the prime of his racing career. In his short 12 years as a competitor, Joe won 50 races and 4 track championships.

After retirement, he started a successful trucking company and heavy-duty repair service business.