Howie Westervelt

Last updated
Howie Westervelt
BornHoward Westervelt
April 10, 1921
Ravena, New York
DiedSeptember 19, 1992(1992-09-19) (aged 71)
Modified racing career
Championships1

Howard "Howie " Westervelt (April 10, 1921-September 19, 1992) was a pioneering American Dirt Modified racing driver. He was known for turning on a rooftop mounted blue light any time he took the lead in a race. [1]

Racing career

Westervelt had a 10-race winning streak at the Lebanon Valley Speedway NY in 1959, ultimately capturing 17 modified features and the track championship. [2] He competed regularly in New York's Capital Region, including Clearview Speedway in Westerlo, Fonda Speedway, Menands Raceway, Pine Bowl Speedway in Snyders Corners, and Rhineback Speedway. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Howie Westervelt was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 1997. [1] [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 Hedger, Ron (April 11, 1997). "Westervelt joining Dirt Hall of Fame". The Daily Gazette . p. 2. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via Google Books.
  2. "Westervelt wins Lebanon final". North Adams Transcript. October 6, 1959. p. 10. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  3. "Stock cars to race at Clearview". The News-Herald. June 9, 1950. p. 20. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via NYS Historic Newspapers.
  4. "Westervelt wins feature at Pine Bowl". The Record. September 5, 1955. p. 20. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  5. "Westervelt cops race at Empire Speedway". The Record. July 5, 1956. p. 31. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  6. "Washburn Memorial winner". Daily Freeman. August 8, 1957. p. 29. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via NewspaperArchive.
  7. "Good crowd on hand for Welch benefit". Schenectady Gazette . August 19, 1959. p. 24. Retrieved April 15, 2024 via Google Books.
  8. "NYSSCA unveils new Hall of Fame display". New York State Stock Car Association. February 7, 2005. Retrieved April 13, 2024.