Team Release
SHINNSTON, WV – March 21, 2011 – Josh Richards was back in action last weekend after a month-long break, the soon to be 23-year-old driver from Shinnston, W.Va., was leading Saturday night’s World of Outlaws Late Model Series Cash Cow 100 at Columbus (Miss.) Speedway when he was sent spinning on lap 61 as a result of contact from the lapped Clint Smith. Richards restarted at the rear of the field after his Kentucky Fuel Corporation/Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket No. 1 came to a stop backwards in turn two to bring out the race’s first caution flag, but managed to salvage a ninth-place finish in a $20,000-to-win event captured by his friendly rival Darrell Lanigan.
“We were running well and I had to get by (Smith)…I let off, went to slow down to get in the corner and he ran into our left-rear,” said Richards, who was racing at a one-third-mile oval where he won his second career WoO LMS A-Main as an 18-year-old in August 2006. “Clint and I are good friends I know he didn’t mean to do it, but it happened, and it was disappointing.
“It’s frustrating because we had a great car. I don’t know if we could’ve held on for the win or not, but I felt like we could’ve been in contention.”
or Richards. He won a heat race on Friday night – coming from the fifth starting spot after timing 17th fastest late in the qualifying session – and drew the outside-pole starting spot for the 100-lapper. He led laps one through 14 before being overtaken by Will Vaught, but regained command on lap 32 and appeared primed to win his second straight 100-lap WoO LMS event until the lapped-traffic tangle effectively ended his bid.
“I was just running around there trying to be smooth, be patient and not spin the tires,” said Richards, the two-time defending WoO LMS champion. “Our guys did a great job, but it was just misfortune that knocked us out of a chance to win.
“I know Darrell was good and was coming on, but I think we would’ve been okay. I would’ve loved to have raced with Darrell for the win, but it just didn’t come down to it that way.”
Richards left Columbus ranked fifth in the WoO LMS points standings, 28 points behind leader Billy Moyer, who is not planning to follow the entire tour.
The WoO LMS remains in the south this weekend, contesting a tripleheader at Ocala (Fla.) Speedway on March 25; Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., on March 26; and Needmore Speedway in Norman Park, Ga., on March 27.
For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com. Follow on Twitter @Josh_Richards1.
Josh Richards’s No. 1 team carries support from Rocket Chassis, Kentucky Fuel Corporation, Cornett Racing Engines, Seubert Calf Ranches,Ernie D’s Enterprises, ACE Metal Works, Petroff Towing, Tony Stewart Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Integra Shocks, Slavic Custom Decals, Valvoline, AEM, ATL Fuel Cells, Aurora Bearing Company, Autolite, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Systems, Beyea Performance, Brinn Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Braswell Carburetion, Butlerbuilt Seat Systems, CV Products, Dohm Cycles, Dyer’s Top Rods, Fram Filters, Frankland Rearends, Howe Racing, LSI, MSD Ignition, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction Brakes, Performance Rod & Custom, Rand, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Simpson Race Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Tel Tech, TWM Racing Products, Trick Carbon Fiber Driveshafts, Jones Racing Products, TurboStart Racing Batteries, Ultra Lite Brakes, US Brake, Weld Racing Wheels, Will Kinzer Foundation, Wehr’s Machine, Wilwood and Wrisco Aluminum.
Honey Elizabeth Rentz
Rising Star Management Group
(704) 658-7650
