(HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA) – It was almost a perfect night for Colby Howard at Hickory Motor Speedway. The South Carolina native had a dominant car in the ASA STARS National Tour Ross & Witmer 255 presented by Appalachian Sucker Punch.
When the dust settled after 255 laps, Howard held off NASCAR Driver Chase Elliott for his first win on the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour.
The night started with Howard winning the CorvetteParts.net Pole Award with a lap of 14.294. It was actually an all Anthony Campi Racing front row as Carson Brown was second quickest.
From the start Howard led the first 80 laps of the race and won the first segment over Cole Butcher and Carson Brown.
On the restart, Butcher took the lead to pace the field for the fourth-consecutive race this season. Butcher led the charge to the second stage break on lap 160.
From the restart until the lap 220 mark Butcher was hounded by Howard who seemed to have a peak to the inside almost every other lap. The two traded paint a few times, but Butcher held the spot.
A late caution with 30 laps to go setup a restart and Butcher slowed the entire field down because he broke an axle, sending the leader to the pits.
Howard was able to take the top spot and run and Chase Elliott looked to run him down. The margin never got close enough for Elliott to make a move and Howard scored the win.
Elliott overcame nose damage as did third-place finisher Gavan Boschele who was involved in an early spin. Carson Brown was fourth and Bubba Pollard was fifth.
In victory lane Butcher celebrated with the winner saluting the hard racing among the top two. Butcher was able to make it back to sixth to salvage points out of the night.
The drivers and teams will have a short rest as they head across the state line to race at Newport Speedway (TN) on Saturday, May 24th.
Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour
Founded by Track Enterprises President Bob Sargent, The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour for pavement Super Late Model stock cars debuted in March 2023.
The Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour is a twelve-race championship series, offering a $100,000 point fund. The tour will visit 12 different racetracks in 8 states in 2025, with the season beginning in February during Florida Speedweeks and concluding in early November at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway.
For those unable to attend an event, live coverage of each of the 12 events can be found on Track TV in addition to each event being re-broadcast on MavTV.
Track Enterprises (TE) is a racing Promotions Company based in Illinois, which owns and operates the ASA STARS National Tour. In addition to the Appalachian Sucker Punch STARS National Tour, Track Enterprises owns and operates Championship Racing Association (CRA) and the ASA Midwest Tour. TE also has a strategic alliance with the ASA Southern Super Series.
ASA Branded Tours
ASA Branded Tours encompasses four (4) pavement super late model racing series operating under the Track Enterprises banner, and under the ASA Brand via a licensing agreement for logo and IP Rights. ASA Branded Tours include the Appalachian Sucker Punch ASA STARS National Tour; the ASA CRA Super Series; The ASA Midwest Tour and the ASA Southern Super Series.
Track TV
Track TV is the official streaming partner of the ASA STARS National Tour, ASA Midwest Tour, ASA Southern Super Series, CRA Super Series, CRA JEGS All Star Tour, CRA Street Stocks, CRA Late Model Sportsman, Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Big 8 Late Model Series and Oktoberfest Race Weekend at La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway plus more! Subscribe today at tracktv.com
