Howard Joins Ricky Benton Racing in 2007

Whiteville, NC (December 19, 2006) - Ricky Benton Racing announced today that they will team up with driver, Shelby Howard for the 2007 Hooters Pro Cup season.

Howard, who resides in Greenwood, Ind., will move to the Southern Division after running in the North the past two seasons.

In 2006, the 21-year-old Howard finished second in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Championship Standings.

As part of the deal, veteran crew chief, Chris Rice will be joining the team to help coordinate all the race related activities. Rice, over the past few years, has worked in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series. The plans for 2007 include running for the USAR Championship as well as running in select NASCAR Busch Series events. Along with Rice will be Barry Elvis who will serve as car chief for the 2007 campaign. RBR has hired chief mechanic, Glenn Ray to be involved with the day-to-day activities at the shop and the track. Howard will also bring mechanic, Joey Gwin, to be involved with some of the shop & track activities.

Howard’s racing career began back in 1996 and he has driven many types of cars including Sprints, Modifieds, and Late Models. In 2001, Howard became the youngest driver ever to compete in the ARCA RE/Max Series and went on to finish fifth in the ARCA points in 2002. He became the youngest winner ever in that series in 2003 while also going on to finish third in the points. In 2004, Howard made five starts in the NASCAR Busch Series and eight starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Over the past two seasons, RBR has had its ups and downs with the highlight of this past season being the win at Bristol Motor Speedway with its driver, Marty Lindley. RBR, with driver Jason Sarvis, won the 2002 USAR Hooters Pro Cup championship; and with driver, Matt Carter won the 2004 Miller Lite Rookie of the Year Championship. RBR won the 1998 Myrtle Beach Speedway track championship, the Atlantic Seaboard Region Championship, and finished fourth in the nation.

In 2007, Black's Tire Service will continue as an associate sponsor. Black’s Tire is headquartered in Whiteville, NC. With over 75 years of service to the North & South Carolina customer markets, Black's Tire operates 20 locations throughout the Carolinas, including 2 wholesale operations, and a distribution center. The team is still searching for a primary sponsor and other associate marketing partners for the 2007 campaign.