Salem, IN (April 16, 2008) – The Howe CRA Sportsman Series is ready to start its 2008 season this Saturday at Anderson Speedway in Anderson, Indiana. 2008 will be the third year for the series, which has seen steady growth over the past two seasons and is expected to see even more in 2008 with an aggressive 20-race schedule.

2007 series Champion Billy Hutson is expected to defend his championship starting Saturday night, a championship he fought hard to win through the last event of 2007. Hutson was caught up in a huge lap six pile-up in the season finally at Winchester Speedway that sent him to the pits for massive repairs. At one time during the race he lost his points lead to Rick Rinehart who fought his way to the lead of the event to only have a flat tire send him to the pits. In the mean time Hutson’s crew and several other in the pit area pitched in and got Hutson’s car back on the track. Hutson’s perseverance paid off, with the laps he made combined with Rinehart’s bad luck, Hutson was able to claim the 2007 Howe CRA Sportsman Series Championship.

Series point’s runner-up Rick Rinehart will return along with third place Charlie Hanna, who led the series with three victories in 2008. Hanna, who also claimed the series Rookie Of The Year Award, could have easily been the series Champion if it were not for two blown motors in the series first three events in 2007.

Fifth place points finisher Gabe Cerny will return looking for more victories after claiming his first series victory at ORP last season. The Wisconsin Cowboy Rick Tackman Jr. will be back behind the wheel of the Russell Willingham’s machine again this season. Others expected to compete for the season Championship include young gun Eric Barkus and hard chargers Nathan Herron and Zack Hulvey. Several new faces will be running for Rookie Of The Year honors including Justin Alsip, Bill Lovely, Lana Jarvis, Bob Kissenger, Nick Lay, and Tony Dager.

2007 Anderson Speedway SuperTruck Champion Brandon Phillips will make his first ever start with the Howe CRA Sportsman Series. Phillips is another driver who is expected to compete for Rookie honors as well as the 2008 Championship.

Pit gates will open at 2:30pm on Saturday. The first practice for the Howe CRA Sportsman Series will be at 4:30pm, qualifying will be at 6pm. The race program will begin at 7pm with 10 lap Howe CRA Sportsman Heat Races. The race program will include a 100-lap event for the ARCA Lincoln Welder Trucks followed by the 75 lap Howe CRA Sportsman feature.

More information on the event is available at www.andersonspeedway.com. More information on the Howe CRA Sportsman Series is available at www.craracing.net.