New this month at the Woodland Auto Display facility is the white number 3 Super Modified race car which was driven by Howard Kaeding, commonly known as The Campbell Comet. Howard was a dominate force in the NASCAR West Coast Super Modified Circuit from 1970 thru 1976.
The vehicle was a very unique design for the time, although well within the NASCAR rules. During the 7 year period that it was raced, the duo accounted for at least 125 Main Events on 11 different tracks in 3 states and claimed several NASCAR Championships. In 1973, they scored 17 consecutive wins. During the last year the car was campaigned, it won 18 Main Events.
The #3 Super Modified was retired as the San Jose paved home track was closed and racing was moved to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds dirt track. The Fairgrounds track required a different type of car. Howard transitioned to Sprint Cars and continued his winning ways. This little white number 3 car is remembered to this day by the many fans of that era.
Howard, at 92, is the patriarch of the Kaeding racing dynasty in Northern California. He was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame. Howard's son, Brent, is a multi-time Champion Sprint Car Driver with approximately 400 wins nationally to his credit. Brent was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame as well as the West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Howard's two grandsons, Brent's sons, Bud and Tim, are multi time winners and champions at the National level in Sprint Cars and Silver Crown Cars.
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