Ryan Howard began racing in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2004, when he made six starts. The next year he made 12 starts after signing on to a team as a full-time crew member, shop mechanic and test driver.
In 2006, Howard was tapped to replace Mark Gibson full-time in Gibson's No. 59 Chevrolet. He was the top finishing rookie that year, finishing fourth in the point standings after making all 23 starts.
His best finish in 2006 was a seventh-place finish at Toledo Speedway in September. He did finish sixth once in 2004, marking his best career race finish.
