 Howard returned to the Trucks with ThorSport Racing in 2008, but only managed two top tens and a single top five before he was released in favor of Johnny Sauter.Howard started 2009 as a free agent, but was picked up by ML Motorsports to drive the #70 Foretravel Motorcoach Chevrolet after the team released Mark Green in late March.He would run a total of 17 Nationwide races with a best finish of 12th at Memphis Motorsports Park.