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| Howard Ford – 2007 NSCS Champion |
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Peter W. Moss/NSCS Media 2007 The North State Challenge Series presented by Scottfeild Executive Hotels crowned a new champion on September 29th at Redwood Acres Raceway. Howard Ford won the race and clinched the 2007 championship with one race remaining on the schedule. Ford had the kind of season racers dream of, winning four of ten races, including three in a row, with an average finishing position of 2.7. Ford last won a touring championship in 1999 in the Best in the West series, a predecessor to the NSCS. “This was one heck of a season,” the 50-year-old Crescent City, California veteran said. “It’s not that easy to win these things so it was really something to win three in a row! I’ve had seasons where I couldn’t even win one race! I was starting to wonder if I was just too old and didn’t have it any more.” After finishing sixth in 2005 points, Ford and his Rumiano Cheese sponsored team started to turn things around in mid 2006. “We tried a new shock package from Mike Naake and we found a few other things and we started to be faster everywhere we went.” Ford finished third in 2006 points and won the season ending, non-points, special at Ukiah Speedway, carrying momentum into the ’07 season. After two wins and a second in the first three races, Ford survived an exhaustive tech inspection after the third race. “I was glad they did it,” he said. “I knew we weren’t cheating and it was good for everyone else to see that we weren’t, too.” A subsequent rules adjustment forced Ford to carry 50 extra pounds. Not coincidentally, Brett Uselton came aboard as crew chief in 2006 and the Rumiano Racing team started its resurgence. Uselton, a late model crew chief and tech inspector at Redwood Acres Raceway, and Ford hit it off right away. “Howard was doubting himself and I just tried to get him to have a little more confidence,” Uselton says. “And I really hated to see Howard underneath the car all afternoon, then have to race, too. Now, Kavin, Scott, Vestal and I handle most of the work and it leaves Howard fresher for the race. He’s been at this a long time and I’ve learned a lot about set-ups from him.” Ford agrees that his team is important. “I owe a big part of this championship to the team. Scott has been with me from the beginning and since Brett and Kavin came aboard we’ve been stronger. We all get along and have a lot of fun together. I really like being around these guys! I guess it’s what you call good chemistry.” While 2008 plans aren’t final, Ford hopes to hit some of the bigger races in the Northwest like the Apple Cup and the Fall Classic, at Yakima Speedway, and the Montana 200, as well as running a limited NSCS schedule. Ford’s championship car is a Port City straight-rail chassis with a 9-1 engine by Jeff Byrd and Nereaux Racing Engines, Ohlins shocks by Mike Naake and an ’07 Monte Carlo body by Five-Star. His primary sponsor is the Rumiano Cheese Co. He also receives support from Tim Haben Concrete Construction, Bayside Realty, Del Norte Disposal and Bud’s Mini Storage and Les Schwab Tires . The crew includes team manager Dee Kinney, Brett Uselton, Scott Spinas, Kavin Conn and Vestal Skaggs |
Race #3 |
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© Copyright 2007 North State Challenge Series - Designed By MUDRacing.NET |
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