SHINNSTON, W.Va. (Aug. 25, 2015) – Josh Richards completed the trifecta Sunday evening, after a triumphant sweep of the three-race World of Outlaws Late Model Series weekend. His wins included a double-header at Atomic Speedway in Waverly, Ohio, and a one-night show at Eriez Speedway in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Coming off of back-to-back wins last weekend in Delaware and Maryland, Richards had momentum on his side heading into Atomic Speedway. The evening started out with Richards posting the second fastest time in Group B qualifying, which lined him up in the pole position for the start of the fourth heat race. Richards captured the 10-lap victory making him eligible for the redraw. The Rocket Chassis driver drew the third starting spot and lined up on the inside of the second row for the start of the 40-lap Feature. At the drop of the green flag, Richards quickly jumped to the second position and set his sites on leader Darrell Lanigan. With multiple caution periods early, Richards was finally able to show his muscle when the field got spread out under green flag conditions midway though the race, passing the leader on Lap 26. Once in command of the field, the West Virginia native never looked back leading the remainder of the event to earn his seventh World of Outlaws Late Model Series win of the season.

After a stellar showing Friday, Richards was ready for the second and final night of racing at Atomic Speedway. He started the action-packed evening by turning the second fastest circuit in hot laps. Richards then went on to qualify fourth in Group B. His effort lined him up second for the fourth and final heat race. The Valvoline driver didn’t waste any time making his way to the front, taking the lead in the first turn. Richards led all 10 laps en route to his heat race win. The victory made him eligible for the redraw and the Mark Richards Racing driver drew the pole position. Starting first, Richards was poised to sweep the weekend at the three-eighths-mile track and that’s exactly what the 27-year-old driver intended to do. He quickly jumped out in font of the field with a sizable lead and by Lap 30 the superstar driver had lapped nearly half of his competitors. Richards maintained his dominant lead and took the checkered flag 8.471 seconds over the second-place car of Shane Clanton, completing the sweep at Atomic Speedway in spectacular fashion.

Winning the double-header at Atomic Speedway, Richards went into Sunday’s race at Eriez Speedway eyeing a trifecta. It didn’t take long for him to show his dominance as he topped the speed chart in qualifying to take home the overall Fast Time Award. Starting first in Heat Race 3, Richards easily cruised to the victory, leading all 10 laps. Eligible for the redraw, Richards drew the third starting spot for Sunday night’s 50-lap Feature. Starting on the inside of row two, Richard’s made quick work of the second-place car of Frank Heckenast Jr., taking over the spot on just the second lap. With no caution periods, Richards and leader Clanton ran into lap traffic early. Having a fast car, the Shinnston, W.Va., driver patiently maneuvered through lap traffic waiting for an opening to challenge the leader. That opening finally came on Lap 30 and Richards easily slid by Clanton to take over the point position. Once in the lead, Richards quickly pulled away, pacing the field for the remaining 20 laps, before capturing his ninth World of Outlaws Late Model Series win of the season and fifth victory in the last six races.

Richards remains second in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings, 154 markers behind leader Clanton.

The Series will take the weekend off in preparation of Labor Day Weekend events in Pennsylvania Sept. 4-6 at Lernerville Speedway and Selinsgrove Speedway. However, the Rocket Chassis team will return to racing action this weekend at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway Aug. 28-29 for the Pittsburgher 100.

Friday Results

Qualifying – 2nd          Heat Race -1st       Feature Start – 3rd     Feature Finish – 1st

Saturday Results

Qualifying – 4th           Heat Race -1st       Feature Start – 1st      Feature Finish – 1st

Sunday Results

Qualifying – 1st         Heat Race -1st        Feature Start – 3rd     Feature Finish -1st

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTES:

Richards’ Thoughts on Racing at Atomic Speedway: “This is an awesome race track. I love coming here, but this is one that’s always alluded me. I actually won my first big check here 10 years ago, but it was just a dash race. It feels good to finally win a Feature race at Atomic. The car was a dream to drive all weekend, to be able to drive all over the track and move around in the racing groves was a lot of fun. I’m just so happy to be back in Victory Lane again with our Valvoline car. The crew has worked really hard and this is what it’s all about.”

Richards’ Thoughts on Winning at Eriez Speedway and the Weekend Sweep: “That was a lot of fun. I love the fans up here and this is a great race track. This whole weekend has been awesome. It’s a little surreal, but we’re just going to keep racing and doing what we love to do. Shane (Clanton) was really good early. I think we might have adjusted a little bit too far because I was too free in the beginning. I had to be really methodical through lap traffic and try to get through there the best that I could. As the laps wore on, the car was really maneuverable. I can’t think my dad enough for giving me this opportunity, he’s one of the smartest guys in the industry. The past few weeks have been great and I feel so blessed.”

Josh Richards’ No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Rocket Chassis, Durham Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Racing Fuels, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing, Slavic Custom Tee Shirts And Graphics, Brown and Miller, Brazwell Carburetors, Bazell Racing Fuels, ButlerBuilt Seat, Beyea Headers, Performance Rod and Custom, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Frankland Rear Ends, Simpson Safety Equipment, J E Pistons, Strange Oval, Wrisco Aluminum, R2C Filters, Aurora Rod Ends, Snap On Tools, Scott Wires, Trick Carbon Fiber Drive Shafts, Five Star Bodies, Jones Racing Products, Howe Racing, Performance Bodies, Lithionics Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm’s Cycles, Weld  Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions.

Richards started what was to be a five-race Wild West Tour, ultimately shortened to three races by rain, at Hibbing Raceway. The 27-year-old began the evening by qualifying second in Group B, which lined him up on the pole for the fourth heat race. After leading the majority of the race, Richards ultimately finished second after falling back on soft tires. Eligible for the redraw, Richards drew the fifth starting spot for the night’s 50-lap Feature. Once the green flag flew, the Rocket Chassis driver quickly made his way to the third position on Lap 3, before the field spread out nose-to-tail with no passing. With his sights set on the second-place car of Morgan Bagley, he patiently applied pressure for the majority of the race as the field continued to run single file. Richards finally overtook the spot with just eight laps remaining. Unable to pass on a track that only had one racing groove, the West Virginia native was forced to settle for a second-place finish at the Minnesota track.

Stop number two on the western tour was at River Cities Raceway and Richards began the night’s festivities by turning the fastest lap in his hot lap group. He went on to qualify eighth, which lined him up third in his heat race. With the field spread out single file in Heat Race 2, Richards was unable to advance, finishing third. Transferring into the main event, the Valvoline driver started in the eighth spot for the 50-lap A-Main. Caught in the outside lane for the start of the race, Richards slipped back to 11^th on Lap 5, before making his charge toward the front. The Mark Richards Racing driver methodically made his way through the field and was scored in fifth at the halfway mark. As the laps wore on, Richards was able to roll his car around the top of the race track and gain valuable time on his competitors. Continuing to maneuver his way toward the front, Richards took over the second spot with just two laps remaining. With one of the fastest cars on the track, he was reeling in the leader before running out of laps, ultimately finishing second for the second night in a row.

With a few days in between races, the Rocket crew washed and worked on the No. 1 machine before heading to Gillette (Wyo.) Thunder Speedway. Once there, the night looked promising as Josh qualified third lining him up in the second spot for his heat race. Richards took to the track for Heat 3 as black storm clouds loomed in the distance. Finishing second in his heat, Richards was eligible for the redraw and drew the first starting spot. Just as the redraw concluded, the winds picked up and a thunderstorm converged over the race track with torrential downpours. After attempting to wait the storm out, the race was ultimately canceled due to inclement weather.

Bad weather also claimed the following night’s race in Rapid City, S.D., taking the tour from five scheduled races down to three.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series headed to Deer Creek Raceway on Saturday, July 18, for the final race of the Wild West Tour. At a track where he had seen success before, Richards began the night topping the field for time trials, earning his third fast-time award of the season. Starting on the pole for Heat 1, Richards held off an early challenge from Darrell Lanigan and cruised to the win leading all 10 laps. Eligible for the redraw, Richards drew the fourth starting spot for the 50-lap Feature. The Shinnston, W Va., driver quickly jumped to the second position on Lap 3, before slipping back to third on Lap 10. Richards remained inside the top five until a Lap 34 restart when his tires began to fade. It was all he could do to hang on for the remaining 16 laps, crossing the finish line in eighth.

After the Wild West Tour, Richards remains second in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings, 194 markers behind Shane Clanton.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will return to action Thursday, July 23, at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway.

Thursday Results

Qualifying – 2^nd         Heat Race –2^nd           Feature Start – 5^th    Feature Finish – 2^nd

Friday Results

Qualifying – 8^th             Heat Race –3^rd      Feature Start –8^th    Feature Finish –2^nd

Saturday Results

Qualifying –1^st           Heat Race –1^st         Feature Start –4^th   Feature Finish –8^th

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “We had a really good Valvoline machine the whole Wild West Tour. I feel like we had a car capable of winning all three races. I’m proud of my team, I feel like we made good setup decisions and learned a lot out west. We gambled on tires at Deer Creek (Speedway) and it didn’t work out. Overall we had a great trip and I’m looking forward to racing in Illinois and Wisconsin the next couple of weeks. I’m ready to get the Valvoline car back in Victory Lane.”

Starting the Northern Tour Thursday evening at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway, Richards began his night on a promising note posting the fastest circuit in hot laps. He then qualified second, which lined him up in the pole position for his heat race. Richards quickly drove away from the field on the first lap and looked to be well on his way to a heat race win, when his engine failed coming out of Turn 2 on the last lap. Though he had a blown motor, the Rocket driver had such a commanding lead he was able to limp his No. 1 machine home to a second place finish. Unfortunately, the team was forced to unload the backup car and was put to the rear of the field for the start of the 40-lap feature event. Starting 24^th in a brand new backup car with no laps on it, Richards was on a mission to find his way back toward the front of the field. It didn’t take him long, as the 27-year-old was scored in 17^th in just three laps. He continued to methodically make his way through the field and was running in 10^th at the halfway mark. With a never give up attitude, Richards was able to drive his way to a seventh-place finish in the remaining 20 laps to turn what could have been a disastrous evening in to a solid top-10 finish.

With a day in between races, the Rocket team went to work replacing the engine in their primary car before crossing the border into Canada for Saturday night’s race at Brighton Speedway. With his primary car back in order, Richards took to the one-third-mile clay oval for time trials. Qualifying fourth, Richards lined up in second for Heat Race 4. Running the bottom groove, the West Virginia native took the lead near the halfway point and cruised to the victory in the 10-lap event. With the top-two finishers in each heat race eligible for the redraw to determine their starting position for the A-Main, Richards was fortunate enough to draw the first spot. Starting on the pole, the Mark Richards Racing driver took command of the race early enduring multiple caution periods and restarts. With a healthy lead for the majority of the race, Richards began to encounter lap cars and was forced to patiently maneuver through the traffic with second-place Shane Clanton right on his bumper. Able to hold off a late-race charge, Richards captured the win leading all 50 laps en route to his fourth World of Outlaws Late Model Series victory of the season and sixth win overall this year.

With rain cancelling Sunday’s scheduled race at Cornwall Speedway in Canada, Richards and his team headed to Weedsport (N.Y.) Speedway for Tuesday night’s event. The evening got off to a fast start with Richards running the quickest circuit during hot laps, before qualifying in second place. His qualifying effort lined him up on the pole for Heat Race 2, and Richards easily drove away from the field leading the race flag-to-flag. By virtue of the redraw, the West Virginia driver started the 40-lap feature in the third spot. Driving into the second turn on the first lap, Richards’ Valvoline machine made contact with the cushion folding the nose of his car under. Though he had damage to the front of his car, Richards was able to maintain his third-place position even making it up to as high as second on Lap 13. With front-end damage making it difficult to steer, Richards made contact with the cushion again while in traffic and was forced to the pit area under a Lap 23 caution period. The crew quickly went to work, but Richards was unable to return to the race and had to settle for a 17-place finish.

After the completion of the Great Northern Tour, Richards remains second in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings.

The Series will return to action at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Penn., June 25-28 for the Firecracker 100 Weekend.

Thursday Results 

Qualifying – 2^nd         Heat Race –2^nd           Feature Start – 21^st    Feature Finish – 7^th

Saturday Results

Qualifying – 4^th             Heat Race –1^st        Feature Start –1^st     Feature Finish –1^st

Tuesday Results

Qualifying – 2^nd          Heat Race –1^st          Feature Start –3^rd   Feature Finish – 17^th

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “We had a tough break at Fonda (Speedway), I feel like we had a car capable of winning. I’m proud of our guys for working so hard to get the backup car ready so we could salvage some points. For never having run any laps on the backup, it was really good and we were fortunate to be able to drive up through the field.

“Saturday was a fun night and a great win for our Valvoline team. We hadn’t been to Brighton Speedway in a few years, and it was nice to be able to go back and get a win in Canada. Shane (Clanton) didn’t make it easy on us, but we were able to navigate our way through lap traffic and hold on for the victory.

“Tuesday was typical of how our season has been, we went into Weedsport Speedway after coming off a win and had bad luck making contact with the cushion on the first lap. There wasn’t much I could do after that with the bumper dragging and not being able to steer. It’s just a bummer because I felt like we had a car that could contend for the win. We’ll keep our heads up and go into the Firecracker 100 with high hopes.”

Though Richards was only an hour from home, the Shinnston, W.Va. driver didn’t have much experience racing at the quarter-mile oval, only having competed there six times since the World of Outlaws Late Model Series started visiting the facility.

Still, the 27-year-old driver considers Tyler County Speedway one of his favorite tracks, since so many of his family and friends are able to come out and show their support.

Richards began the weekend with his sights set on a win. Qualifying second for Saturday night’s $8,000-to-win event, the driver of the No. 1 machine lined up on the pole for heat number two. Richards quickly showed he was going to be a force to be reckoned with for the rest of the night, leading his 10-lap heat race from start to finish. With the top-two drivers of each heat eligible for the redraw, Richards picked the second starting spot for the 40-lap feature.

Starting in the second position, Richards remained there for the majority of the race running the mid to low lines of the track. Knowing the laps were quickly clicking down, the Valvoline driver knew it was time to make a move or it would be too late. Richards made a gamble and moved to the high-side of the track on Lap 36, driving to the outside of Brandon Overton in the third turn. Overton attempted to block and Richards pulled a crossover move, completing the pass on Lap 37 for the top position. With three laps remaining, Richards held on to win night one of the Jackpot 100 much to the delight of the home-state crowd.

Sunday night began much the same with Richards eyeing a Memorial Day Weekend sweep. The Mark Richards Racing driver again qualified in the second position, putting him on the pole for his heat race. For the second night in a row, Richards led all 10 laps to capture the heat win. This time, Richards wasn’t as lucky in the redraw, picking the fourth starting spot for the night’s main event.

Richards began the 60-lap feature in fourth, but quickly made his way to third in just the first lap. The Rocket Chassis driver remained in third for much of the race as he tried to maneuver his way through lapped traffic in an event that only saw one caution. As the top-two drivers battled, Richards lurked behind waiting for the right time to make his move. That time came on Lap 42 when he overtook Chub Frank for the second position. Setting his sights on race-leader Brandon Overton, it didn’t take long for a hard-charging Richards to claim the top spot on Lap 48. With 12 circuits remaining, the three-time World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion cruised to the win to complete the weekend sweep.

The victory marks Richards 52^nd-career World of Outlaws Late Model Series win and his fifth overall victory this season. Richards is scored in second in the Series point standings, 84 markers behind Shane Clanton.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will be off the next three weekends, but Richards will return to racing action June 4-6 at Eldora Speedway for the Dirt Late Model Dream.

Saturday Results

 Qualifying – 2^nd          Heat Race –1^st          Feature Start – 2^nd             Feature Finish – 1^st  

Sunday Results

Qualifying – 2^nd          Heat Race –1^st          Feature Start –4^th     Feature Finish –1^st  

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “That was a lot of fun out there this weekend. We had a great car. Andy Durham built us a new engine for this weekend and the team worked really hard to get our Valvoline car dialed in. It’s always extra special to win in front of our home-town crowd. It’s really neat to have so many family and friends come out to watch. I hope we put on a good show for them and all of the fans.

“Saturday I knew I had to try something I didn’t want to just settle for a runner-up finish. At the end I tried to go for the top. I knew I’d kick myself for not trying it. Luckily it worked out.

“Sunday night was more finesse and trying to figure out where you needed to be. I feel like once I started moving around, I started gaining on Chub (Frank) and Brandon (Overton). Our car just kept getting better and we were able to complete the weekend sweep.”

Just hours after seeing the four-tenths-mile Elkin, N.C., track for the first time, Richards climbed into his No. 1 Valvoline car for hot laps and qualifying. The 27-year-old qualified 16th, lining him up in the sixth spot for Heat Race 1. Running the high groove, Richards advanced two positions to finish fourth in his 10-lap heat race, transferring into the main event.

Lining up 10th in the 50-lap feature, the Rocket driver methodically worked his way through the field and was scored in fifth at Lap 16. Continuing to run on the high-side of the track, Richards made his way to the second position at the halfway point of the race. After multiple cautions in the remaining 25 laps, Richards tried his best to overtake race leader Chris Ferguson. Though he was gaining time on Ferguson in the final laps, it wasn’t enough and Richards ultimately finished second.

After his runner-up finish on Friday, the Valvoline team traveled to Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway, a place the where Richards had visited Victory Lane previously. With two wins under his belt, Richards felt comfortable going into Saturday night’s 50-lap feature. He began the evening by turning the fastest lap in his hot lap group and went on to qualify fifth overall. Starting on the outside pole for Heat Race 2, the driver of the No. 1 machine was unable to advance and finished second in the 10-lap race. By virtue of a top-two finish in his heat, Richards was eligible for the redraw. With only six numbers to choose from, Richards drew the last starting position and lined up sixth for the feature.

 Richards and his Rocket Chassis team arrived at the quarter-mile oval on Thursday for World of Outlaws Late Model Series testing. After a full night of practice, Richards was credited with running some of the fastest lap times of the evening.

 With a successful test session under his belt, Richards was optimistic about his chances in Friday night’s 25-lap feature. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old had a late draw for qualifying, putting him behind early. Richards qualified 12th in Group B, lining him up in the fourth spot for Heat Race 6. After advancing one position in the 10-lap race, Richards finished third, transferring him into the main event. Starting 18th in the feature, the Mark Richards Racing driver was on a mission and didn’t waste any time making his way toward the front of the field. Just 10 laps into the 25-lap race, Richards was scored in seventh. Continuing his impressive run through the field, the Valvoline driver made it to as high as fifth before the checkered flag flew. Though he finished fifth, Richards ran the fastest laps of the race and felt he could have contended for the lead had he not run out of laps.

Saturday night began much the same, drawing a late qualifying number. With the track conditions different from the night before, Richards was a bit conservative when making his qualifying run and ended up 15th in Group B. His qualifying effort lined him up eighth for Heat Race 3. With only the top-four cars transferring into the main event, the West Virginia native had his work cut out for him. Toward the end of the 10-lap heat race, Richards was in contention for the fourth and final transfer spot when contact with another competitor relegated him to a fifth-place finish. Richards lined up on the pole for B-Main 2 in a second attempt to race his was into the feature. With an ill-handling car, Richards slipped back to the third position early and remained there, capturing the final transfer spot.

 Starting 22nd in the 75-lap finale, Richards knew he had a lot of ground to make up. Looking as though he was up to the task, the Valvoline driver methodically started making his was through the field and was scored in ninth after just 30 laps. Unfortunately, his promising run was cut short on Lap 35 when another car came down in front of Richards making contact and causing the nose of his No. 1 machine to fold under. Just a few laps later, Richards was hit by another competitor and sustained left-rear damage forcing him to bring his mangled car into the pit area for repairs. Restarting in the back of the field, Richards was able to run nine laps before coming back into the pits for a flat left-rear tire. With a ratchet strap holding the nose off of the ground and considerable sheet metal damage, the Valvoline team never gave up and Richards was able to finish the 75-lap race on the lead lap. By virtue of staying on the track, Richards was able to gain five positions to finish 16th, earning valuable points in his quest for an unprecedented fourth World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championship.

 Richards returns to World of Outlaws Series racing action May 1-2, in a North Carolina doubleheader at Friendship Motor Speedway in Elkin, N.C., and Fayetteville (N.C.) Motor Speedway. The No. 1 Valvoline team plans to run the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex in Markleysburg, Pa., on April 24.

 Friday Results

Qualifying – 12th      Heat Race -3rd       Feature Start -18th        Feature Finish -5th   

 Saturday Results

Qualifying – 15th       Heat Race -5th       Feature Start -22nd      Feature Finish -16th  

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “I had a good Valvoline car all weekend. I just put us behind early by qualifying poorly on Friday and Saturday. We had a lot of ground to make up by the time the feature rolled around each night. I had a lot of fun driving on Friday, the car was really fast. I think I could have won the race if we just had a few more laps. The track changed quite a bit on Saturday and we didn’t get our setup figured out until the feature. I feel like I had a good car and I was making my way through the field. It’s just unfortunate I got taken out of contention with considerable damage to the nose and left-rear. We had a rough night Saturday, but we’ll regroup this week and be ready to go Friday at Roaring Knob (Motorsports Complex).”

 Josh Richards’ No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Rocket Chassis, Durham Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Racing Fuels, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing, Slavic Custom Tee Shirts And Graphics, Brown and Miller, Brazwell Carburetors, Bazell Racing Fuels, ButlerBuilt Seat, Beyea Headers, Performance Rod and Custom, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Frankland Rear Ends, Simpson Safety Equipment, J E Pistons, Strange Oval, Wrisco Aluminum, R2C Filters, Aurora Rod Ends, Snap On Tools, Scott Wires, Trick Carbon Fiber Drive Shafts, Five Star Bodies, Jones Racing Products, Howe Racing, Performance Bodies, Lithionics Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm’s Cycles, Weld  Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions

After the World of Outlaws Late Model Series races at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway and I-30 Speedway were cancelled due to weather, Richards and his No. 1 Valvoline team made the short trip to Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe, Ohio. The 26-year-old was excited to return to a track he hadn’t raced at since 2011, knowing it was place that suited his driving style.

The West Virginia native began Friday evening by qualifying fourth in his group, placing him second for the start of Heat Race 3. Richards quickly took a commanding lead on the first lap and remained in the point position to capture the heat race win. The Rocket Chassis driver lined up third for the feature event and took over the second spot on Lap 13. Though he continued to run in second for the remainder of the caution-filled, 50-lap event, Richards was fighting mechanical issues, driving with a stuck throttle, broken clutch and dragging nose. His impressive second-place finish amid mechanical struggles marks his seventh top-five finish in 11 races.

On Saturday, the team traveled to Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway for the 18th Annual Indiana Icebreaker. Admittedly not one of Richards’ favorite tracks, he went into the event optimistic. Qualifying 11th, he lined up in the sixth position for Heat Race 3. Fighting a loose-condition, Richards dropped back to seventh, before ultimately finishing fifth, one position shy of the final transfer spot. His heat race effort put him on the pole for the second B-Main, but Richards continued to fight a loose race car. The Mark Richards Racing driver finished second, transferring into the feature event. Starting 20th, Richards quickly gained seven spots to be scored in 13th at Lap 13. Just three laps later, the field spread out single-file for the remainder of the caution-free race. Though Richards’ car was handling more to his liking, he was unable to pass with the field spread out and only one racing groove. The Valvoline driver remained in the 13th position until the checkered flag flew.

Richards returns to World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Duck River Raceway Park on Friday, April 10, in Wheel, Tennessee.

Friday Results

Qualifying – 4th        Heat Race -1st         Feature Start – 3rd         Feature Finish – 2nd

Saturday Results

Qualifying – 11th      Heat Race -5th        Feature Start -20th       Feature Finish -13th

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “With the World of Outlaws Series events getting rained out, I was itching to get back in the Valvoline car after having a month off. Atomic Speedway is a track I have always loved, but we haven’t been able to race there in several years because it conflicted with our World of Outlaws schedule. It was a lot of fun to be able to go back to that track and come home with a great finish.

“I’ve always struggled at Brownstown Speedway, but I was anxious to go there so we could work on getting better. We were really loose early, but I feel like we made some substantial gains and we’re able to get the car better. It’s just a shame the track rubbered up and we weren’t able to pass. I feel like we had a good car and we could have come out with a good finish.”  

Josh Richards’ No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Rocket Chassis, Durham Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Racing Fuels, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing, Slavic Custom Tee Shirts And Graphics, Brown and Miller, Brazwell Carburetors, Bazell Racing Fuels, ButlerBuilt Seat, Beyea Headers, Performance Rod and Custom, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Frankland Rear Ends, Simpson Safety Equipment, J E Pistons, Strange Oval, Wrisco Aluminum, R2C Filters, Aurora Rod Ends, Snap On Tools, Scott Wires, Trick Carbon Fiber Drive Shafts, Five Star Bodies, Jones Racing Products, Howe Racing, Performance Bodies, Lithionics Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm’s Cycles, Weld  Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions.

Richards began the weeklong DIRTCar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park on Monday night by qualifying second in his group. After finishing third in his heat race, he lined up for the 30-lap feature in the 10^th spot. Starting on the inside lane, Richards lost two positions on the first lap, but had returned back to his initial starting spot by Lap 2. Just five circuits later, the West Virginia native had worked his way up to eighth. With little passing among the top-10, Richards maintained his position and crossed the stripe in eighth-place.

After Tuesday’s race was cancelled due to heavy rain, the No. 1 Valvoline team returned to racing action Wednesday evening. Richards started Heat Race 5 in the fourth spot and gained one position in the 10-lap event, guaranteeing him a spot in the main event. Starting 17^th in the 40-lap feature, Richards quickly made his way inside the top ten in just six laps. In a race that again didn’t see much passing among the front-runners, the 26-year-old methodically made his way toward the front of the field, coming to the checkered flag in the seventh position.

In the final night of UMP DIRTcar Series action, the Rocket house car driver qualified fifth in Group B. His qualifying effort lined him up on the outside-pole for his 10-lap heat race. Richards maintained his position and finished second. Starting 10^th in the 50-lap feature, Richards quickly gained five positions and was scored in fifth at Lap 6. Shortly after, the No. 1 machine began to slowly slip backwards. Thinking it might have been his tires, Richards pitted under caution at the halfway point of the race. Restarting 24^th, the Mark Richards Racing driver made his way up to 16^th before ultimately finishing 19^th. After closer inspection, the team discovered a plug wire came loose during the race and Richards was driving minus a cylinder.

In the first of two nights of World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at the Florida-based track, Richards started eighth in his heat race. With only the top-four cars transferring, the Valvoline driver had his work cut out for him. In an expert display of driving, Richards fought his way to a third-place finish in the 10-lap heat race. Starting 11^th in the 50-lap main event, Richards made his way to as high as seventh in the early laps, before crossing the finish line 10^th, collecting his third top-10 finish of the week.

Saturday marked the final night of the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park and Richards hoped to turn his luck around and come home with a podium finish. After a good showing in hot laps, Richard’s car became extremely tight in qualifying, putting him behind in his heat race. Starting ninth, he made his way up to fifth in the 10-lap heat, but missed the transfer spot by one position. Forced to run a B-Main, Richards started on the outside, but quickly made his way to the front taking command of the race and capturing the victory. Starting the feature event in 17^th, Richards appeared as if his luck had changed as he methodically made his way toward the front of the field and found himself in the seventh spot at Lap 36. Just one lap later disaster struck as the blue and red machine was forced to the pits with a broken rear end. Richards was unable to finish the race and he was credited with an 18^th-place finish.

The three-time World of Outlaws champion returns to World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway in Calvert City, Ky., on March 20. Followed by a race at 1-30 Speedway in Little Rock, Ark., on March 21.

Monday Results

Qualifying – 2^nd                Heat Race – 3^rd         Feature Start – 10^th             Feature Finish – 8^th

Wednesday Results

Qualifying –11^th            Heat Race – 3^rd         Feature Start – 17^th Feature Finish –7^th

Thursday Results

Qualifying – 5^th                 Heat Race – 2^nd         Feature Start – 10^th             Feature Finish – 19^th

Friday Results

Qualifying – 15^th            Heat Race – 3^rd         Feature Start – 11^th             Feature Finish –10^th 

Saturday Results

Qualifying – 18^th            Heat Race – 5^th         Feature Start – 17^th             Feature Finish – 18^th

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “I’m disappointed with how things went at Volusia Speedway Park. After a great start to Speedweeks, that’s not how we wanted to end things. My team worked really hard all week, we just had some mechanical issues that were out of our control. That’s just part of it. We tried some different setups and the track was really fast all week. We’ve got some time off before the next race, so we’ll go home and regroup and come back ready to put the Valvoline car back in Victory Lane.”