NHRA Super Stock racer Grace Howell joins Marty Ladwig Racing to pilot a Chevy Cobalt in the All Motor class for the 2008 NOPI/NHRA Xplōd Sport Compact Series season.

“With GM Racing and Chevrolet stepping in to support our All Motor Ecotec program, I’m really glad that we are working with Grace,” Ladwig said. “She fits right in with our team. I think she’s one of the best young drivers around and has already raced against some tough competition.”

Howell, 21, has grown up around drag racing where both parents raced. A former NHRA Jr. Dragster National Champion Grace started racing at 8 yrs old. The Aiken, S.C. racer, who finished in 7th place in Division 2 Super Stock in 2007, will make her professional debut on March 28 at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA in her K&N/Lucas Oil All Motor Cobalt.

“I’m really excited about the season,” Howell said. “I hope to one day race NHRA Pro Stock and I think this will be a great experience being on a factory supported team.”

Ladwig, who has the most Front Wheel Drive Wins in NHRA history at 16, said, “All of our sponsorships have increased this season, which I think is a testament to the strength of our series. With our continued support from Lucas Oil and a substantial increase in program size from K&N, I too am really looking forward to the season. Having already established our 1400+ turbocharged Ecotec engines as the ones to beat, it will be exciting to see what GM Racing can develop for our normally aspirated 4 cylinder Ecotec.”

The Ladwig/Howell two-car effort will compete on the NOPI/NHRA Xplōd circuit and other select events in 2008. San Antonio-based Marty Ladwig Racing proudly represents Lucas Oil, K&N Engineering, Chevrolet, GM Racing, Mickey Thompson Tires, Borla Exhaust, MSD Ignition, NGK, Ferrea Valves, Tial Sport and Torco.