Howie Westervelt

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]

Howie Westervelt
Born	Howard Westervelt April 10, 1921 Ravena, New York
Died	September 19, 1992(1992-09-19) (aged 71)
Modified racing career
Championships	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]

References

1. 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.