AUBURN,
Ala., June 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Anita Millican was the first woman ever licensed as an IndyCar
Mechanic in 1980 and the first to go over the wall as a member of
the pit crew. She did so as a jackman. Anita, along with her
husband Howard, were also the first and surely the only to raise a
skunk at the racetrack. They named the skunk Trouble. The trio are
celebrated in a new children's book, "The Trouble with Howard"
written by racing veteran Lee Anne
Patterson with illustrations by racing artist Roger Warrick.
Howard and Anita Millican were
innovative racers that were the first to cut an IndyCar in half and
create a flowbench to study aero. They also invented the shock
dyno. Their work literally sent shockwaves throughout the industry.
They have a storied history with Howard as a driver racing sprint
cars and together as mechanics and fabricator in IndyCar during the
most inventive era of the sport working with many of the greats
including Gurney, Foyt, and several Unsers.
True story - in route to a race, they rescued a baby skunk from
the side of the road. Finding a baby doll bottle, they started
feeding him from one race to the next. As he grew, Trouble lived up
to his name digging in toolboxes, diving into coolers and making
nests in awkward places.
This real-life story has been crafted into a delightful new
children's book by Patterson. The story not only celebrates
ponytails in the pits, but themes of sportsmanship and scenes of
life at the track are handled in authentic fashion. Illustration on
every page carries the energy you would expect from a racing book
with Warrick getting the details right! The racecar looks like a
real racecar. The book includes a brief bio about Howard, Anita and
Trouble to inspire the next generation of racers. Truly an
original, this book is created by racers, about racers, for
racers!
The hardcover book is 44-pages and recommended for Grades 1 and
up, the book is available at www.TheTroublewithHoward.com for
$18.50. You'll also find stickers, an
official Trouble team shirt and a Trouble car air freshener
offering the sweet smell of victory. Getting into Trouble
has never been this much fun!
ISBN 979-8-9902067-0-0, published by Ground Effects Marketing,
Inc.
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SOURCE Ground Effects Marketing, Inc.