She couldn’t have found a better big stage with which to make her big league debut. This is how Grace Howell described her NHRA Pro Stock debut as the new driver of Jim Cunningham’s Ford Mustang.

“It felt awesome,” said Howell, whose previous driving experience was limited to Super Stock and Stock competition. “The car shook the tires but it was just an amazing experience just to run down the track. Being here in Indy and driving Jim Cunningham’s Mustang is just an incredible experience.”

After two days of qualifying at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Howell has managed a best 7.354 elapsed time at 149.23, a run which came in her third attempt. Howell admits she’s getting comfortable with each run.

She couldn’t have found a better big stage with which to make her big league debut. This is how Grace Howell described her NHRA Pro Stock debut as the new driver of Jim Cunningham’s Ford Mustang.

“It felt awesome,” said Howell, whose previous driving experience was limited to Super Stock and Stock competition. “The car shook the tires but it was just an amazing experience just to run down the track. Being here in Indy and driving Jim Cunningham’s Mustang is just an incredible experience.”

After two days of qualifying at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Howell has managed a best 7.354 elapsed time at 149.23, a run which came in her third attempt. Howell admits she’s getting comfortable with each run.

“Of course it was intimidating on that first run,” Howell said. “But Jim Yates has been preparing me to get to this point. I’m just happy to be at this point getting my feet wet.”

Getting her feet all the while fulfilling a lifelong dream bodes well for Howell.

“Doing this is what I’ve wanted to do all of my life,” Howell said. “I’ve always loved Pro Stock. I raced Stock and Super Stock for about ten years and before that, Junior Dragsters. This is just a dream come true.

“Just being around this Ford Mustang team and Jim Cunningham will be the greatest thing I take away from this experience. I’m so happy for the opportunity to do this because I’ve always been a huge Ford fan. To be here in this Mustang and at Indy, is a big dream come true.”