For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Josh Plant (jpmpromote@gmail.com)
September 24, 2018

Local Racer Charlie Ray Howell’s
 “How Do You Handle Adversity?”
Wins Emmy Award in Kansas City, MO.

Mt. Pleasant, TN (09/24/18)- Local racer and inspirational advocate Charlie Ray Howell  brings Emmy Award back to Tennessee from Mid-America’s National Academy of Television Arts & Science Emmy Awards for his inspiration video “How do you handle Adversity?”

 In the Spring of 2017, Howell and Aligned Media Group teamed up to film the short documentary about Howell’s story of returning to his racing roots after sustaining a spinal cord injury. The video “How do you handle Adversity?” gives a inside look into the life of Howell as he returned to his racing career post-injury using a wheelchair.

Howell’s story is a little different than most Friday and Saturday night racers. Since birth Howell was diagnosed with O.I., known as the brittle bone disorder and in 2010 Howell sustained a spinal cord injury in an automobile accident that left him confined to using a wheelchair. His spirit was unbroken and determined to continue the sport he grew up doing, racing his dirt late model on dirt tracks across the mid-south.

Racing for Howell has always been a hobby since he was kid but soon realized it can be a source of inspiration and a career. He now uses his racing career to bring inspiration and awareness to others by spreading awareness about spinal cord injuries and O.I. Howell, who is affected by both a spinal cord injury and O.I. wants everyone to know that no matter what shape you’re in or diagnosis you’ve been handed, to never give up in life and the dreams you desire.

Howell says: “Every racers ultimate goal is to win races and it’s mine as well, that’s the drive. But the true drive for me now is “Racing for those who can’t!” I use the motivation and inspiration of those who can’t or unable to, due to their ailments, injuries and hardships, that look to me for their inspiration and drive. Racing to me is my passion, but my purpose now is to inspire as many people and fans that to never give up on your dreams, passions and goals.”

A year later after the documentary was released and several thousand views on Facebook, YouTube and other media outlets, Aligned Media Group and Howell received word that the video was up for 5 Emmy Award Nominations at Mid-America’s National Academy of Television Arts & Science Emmy Awards and received their invitation to the event.

Saturday night Howell, his wife Anna and the Aligned Media Group sat anxiously in Kansas City at the Emmy Awards Ceremony as their nomination category Short Format Programming approached. Finally as the one came up and was announced and reviewed to the audience they announced the winner. “How do you handle Adversity?” Aligned Media Group and Charlie Ray Howell. Excitement, tears and joy were felt as the group accepted one of television’s highest awards.

“I couldn’t believe it, we just won an Emmy Award, an Emmy!! Things like this don’t happen to people like me, racecar drivers or small town local racers. Im just a guy who uses racing as a torch to share my story, spread inspiration and live my dream as a race car driver. I never dreamed it would go this far, especially with challenges I face just to live my dream. I am so grateful for Aligned Media Group and Permobil for this opportunity and accomplishment.” Stated Howell

Howell’s story has come so far from overcoming Adversity, to racing with a disability, to spreading inspiration, and winning an Emmy Award. This is the beginning of bigger things to come from Charlie Ray Howell. Racing for those who can’t and spreading inspiration is the drive to Howell.