Rumiano Racing's Howard Ford and the North State Challenge presented by Scottfeild Executive Hotels visited the fast 1/2-mile at Altamont Motorsports Park on May 12th and it was a night to remember! Qualifying 3rd and starting 4th, after a six car inversion, Ford took the lead from veteran Craig Raudman on lap 54 and led the final 46 laps to claim the $2000 winner�s share of the purse.
The victory was especially sweet after the season opener at Redwood Acres Raceway, where Ford led much of the race only to finish second after a last lap incident cost him the win. �We�ve been running well for the last few races (dating back to last year) but it isn�t always easy to close the deal. Some bad racing luck bit us. I really wanted to win that one. Baird (Rumiano) was there and I wanted to win it for him but it didn't happen. Maybe our luck is changing!"
"We struggled for most of the afternoon," he continued. "We'd never seen this track before and we brought too tall of a gear. Then we had some carburetor problems. Luckily, I�ve got a great crew! These guys work so hard for me and I can�t thank them enough. I�ve really put them to the test these last two races and they keep coming through for me!� The crew at AMP consisted of Brett Uselton, Scott Spinas, and Kavin Conn and Dee Kinney.
Coming onboard, as an associate sponsor for this race, was Howard�s old friend Dennis Wuolett and his business, Taco Bravo. Taco Bravo, a venerable institution in Campbell California, now has an outlet in Fremont as well. �Dennis is a friend of mine from our drag racing days, years ago,� Ford said. �I once drove one of his cars, back then, and he�d said if I was ever racing down here, he�d help sponsor me. When I saw Altamont on the schedule I gave him a call and he was quick to jump in and help us out. Dennis is a great guy and I really appreciated his help! He even brought food for us all! It was great to be able to win for him!�
With the win, Howard jumped to the NSCS point lead, 38 markers ahead of two-time defending champ Mike Doss.
Next up for the HEF/Rumiano Racing team will be the third NSCS race at Shasta Raceway Park in Anderson Calif. on June 9th.
HEF Motorsports thanks its great sponsors: The Rumiano Cheese Co. A&M Body Shop & Towing, Bayside Realty, Buds Mini Storage, Del Norte Disposal, Ed Nereaux Race Engines, Les Schwab Tire, Redwood Coast Signs, Tim Haben Concrete Construction, Resale Lumber, Skaggs Auto, and Taco Bravo.
