"I'm thrilled to be back in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do at Daytona," said the driver of the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Silverado.  "It would be great to come out of Daytona with a solid finish and get the season started the right way.  The caliber of drivers in this series is outstanding, and you have to earn everything you get each time out.  I can't wait to get started."

Howard knows good fortune is key to success at Daytona. 

"Things can get crazy here," he said.  "You set the truck up the best you can, so that it maneuvers right in traffic, and hope that luck is on your side when the wrecks happen.'

Howard isn't unfamiliar with Daytona.  At age sixteen, he ran an ARCA Series race at DIS.

 "I'm comfortable here," he said.  "I enjoy coming to Daytona.  The lead-up to this race is unbelievable, with all that's happening during Speedweeks, and the race itself is always exciting, especially racing at night."

Howard will be driving a race truck rich in ThorSport Racing lore.  Affectionately known in NCTS circles as "Piggy", the truck has been a part of every NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona, finishing 4th in the inaugural truck-series race at Daytona in '00.  "Piggy" also stormed to a 6th place finish at Talladega last fall.  In a sport rife with rapid-fire changes to rules and technology, and in an era where teams and drivers come and go, ThorSport's "Piggy" has been a model of endurance, exemplifying the organization's 'never say die' attitude.

 "This truck has a lot of history within our Series and with ThorSport, and I'm hoping it'll be somewhat of a good-luck charm for me at Daytona," Howard said.