Catchfence

Warsaw, In – Sometimes a change can be like a shot in the arm, the medicine a team is looking for.

That being said, Indiana-based ML Motorsports is excited about Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas, where they are entered with 23-year-old driver Shelby Howard.

Howard, a native of Greenwood, Indiana, replaced Mark Green behind the wheel of the No. 70 Foretravel Motorcoach Chevrolet owned by Mary Louise Miller.

Howard and ML Motorsports will team up for 19 Nationwide Series races this season. Howard hopes that this weekend’s race in Texas is the start of a successful run for him and Team 70.

“I’ve tested there a couple times and I’ve raced there twice in the Truck Series,” said Howard. “There’s plenty of room to pass and it’s a very fast track. I’m very excited about going there with ML Motorsports.”

ML Motorsports has competed in one Nationwide Series race this season, with Mark Green qualifying 31st and finishing 18th in the season opener at Daytona.

Howard sees potential at ML Motorsports and said he has been interested in the team for quite some time.

“We’ve been close to a deal for a while,” said Howard. “They’ve got a top-notch program at ML Motorsports and I’m very excited to be driving their car. I see a lot of potential at ML Motorsports and I really wanted to be a part of it.” Howard competed against ML Motorsports during both parties’ days in the ARCA RE/MAX Series.

“He’s been racing quite a long time for his age,” said ML Motorsports crew chief Brian Ross. “I raced against him in the Kendall Late Model Series and in the Hooters Pro Cup Series. He’s quite a racer. Shelby will take care of the equipment, he’s not gonna get us in trouble there. He’s the type of kid that races smart and clean. I’m looking forward to going racing with him.”

Upcoming races for Howard and ML Motorsports include April 11 at Nashville, April 25 at Talladega and May 1 at Richmond.

ML Motorsports is the only Nationwide Series team based in Indiana. And the team is happy to have a driver from the Hoosier State.

“We’re very happy to have an Indiana driver, especially one of Shelby’s caliber,” said ML Motorsports team manager Ed Mullen. “We’re very excited about this opportunity with Shelby Howard.”

- ML Motorsports Press Release