Car of the Week: Lance Howdyshell's 1977 Ford Maverick

Welcome to the BTE Racing Car of the Week series, where we feature our customers and fans, and the cars (and trucks) they love to race. Today, it’s all about Lance Howdyshell from Virginia and his “Blue Lagoon,” a 1977 Ford Maverick.

How did you get into drag racing?
My family has been doing it for 20 years, it runs in the family!

When and where was your first race?
My first race was at Eastside Speedway in Waynesboro, Virginia.. I won my first footbrake/MOD race within the first month of racing.

What model/year do you race now?
1977 Ford Maverick

Does your car have a nickname?
Blue Lagoon or Nelly

What's under the hood?
351W

Which BTE products do you use in your vehicle?
Converter

Why do you use BTE?
I found out about it through the World Footbrake Challenge race, so my dad and I gave it a try. It gets the job done!

Someone you look up to in racing?
Luke Bogacki, Nick Bowman, Chris Plott

If money were no object, what would you drive?
Nothing else. I wouldn't trade my race car for the world. It may not be much, but it gets the job done. But if I had to choose, it would be a 1969 Camaro, even though I'm a Ford guy.

What is your pre-race ritual (if you have one)?
I pray as soon as I get strapped in and before I cut my pre-stage bulb on.

Car of the Week: Casey Swift's '70 Ford Maverick

Welcome to our first ever Car of the Week, where we feature BTE customers and the cars they love to drive and race. Today’s spotlight is on Casey Swift and his ’70 Ford Maverick, all the way from Paradise, Texas.

Photo courtesy of Max Cackle Photos. 

How did you get into drag racing?

My dad started taking me to the races as soon as I could walk. My granddad, my dad and my uncle all race. When I got the first junior dragster in ’95 I was hooked.

When and where was your first race?

My first race was at Texas Raceway in Kennedale, TX. 

What do you race now?

I traded my ’97 Strickland Jr. straight across for my current ’70 Ford Maverick.