Shelby Howard enters the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at Lowe's Motor Speedway hoping to build on the solid performance he displayed at Kansas Motor Speedway.

Howard, driver of the No. 13 ThorSport Racing Silverado, finished 16th at Kansas and believes the team is on a steady improvement track.

"I'm excited to see what we can do at Lowe's Motor Speedway," Howard said.  "It's fast and furious there, and always an electric atmosphere.  It's great racing."

 This team continues to improve, the chemistry keeps getting better, and I really feel like we're ready to turn the corner," Howard continued.  " I'd like nothing better than to get that first top-10 finish of the season at Charlotte.  It would be a tremendous spark for us, and the guys deserve it.  They've been working so hard for me, and I appreciate it."

Howard knows, however, that a top-10 finish in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series never comes easy. Especially at the frenetic Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"This series is so competitive, you have to bring your best every time out, have to be consistent, and that's our priority," said Howard.  "Everybody has to be on the same page, to share the same intense focus, and I feel like we have that.  It's just a matter of putting all of the pieces together, to build the consistency we need.  Hopefully, we can come out with a strong finish at Lowe's Motor Speedway and get that ball rolling."