Consistency Key for Josh Richards at The World of Outlaws World Finals
Josh Richards returned to World of Outlaws Late Model Series Racing for the first time this year in the season-ending World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte (N.C.). Consistency was key for the 26-year-old Rocket driver who started the weekend off Thursday by making two qualifying runs which determined Friday and Saturday’s heat race lineups. With Richards not eligible for points, the crew experimented with some different setup options and Richards qualified 14th in both qualifying sessions. His qualifying efforts lined him up in the fifth position in Heat Race 5 for both Friday and Saturday. With only the top-three cars transferring to the feature events, Richards had his work cut out for him.
After starting fifth in Friday night’s 10-lap heat race shootout, Richards advanced early, but fell back after his car was not handling to his liking. He ultimately finished fifth. Richards’ fifth-place effort lined him up third in the B-Main, marking his last chance to make it into the night’s main event. With only the top-two cars transferring, Richards fought his way to the front finishing second to secure a starting spot in the feature event. Starting 24th in the A-Main, Richards chose the high side and fought his way through the field to finish in the 12th spot. Richards was credited with gaining the most positions in the 50-lap event.
The three-time World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion again lined up in the fifth position for Saturday’s heat race, but this time he was able to advance one spot to finish fourth in the 10-lap event. Falling one position shy of the transfer spot, Richards was again forced to the B-Main. Starting on the pole, Richards fought a back-and-fourth battle with second-place starter John Blankenship. Richards took the high-side going into the final turn with Blankenship running low. The two ran nose-to-nose, but Blankenship barely edged out Richards in a photo finish. Richards again started 24th for the feature event. He continued to run the top side next to the cushion as he had for most of the weekend and was the night’s biggest mover advancing 12 spots to finish 12th for the second and final night.
The World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte marked the final late model race of the season for Richards. However, the West Virginia native plans to run a Crate Dirt Late Model race next weekend at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida.
Friday Night’s Results:
Qualifying – 14th Heat Race – 5th B-Main – 2n A-Main – 12th
Saturday Night’s Results:
Qualifying – 14th Heat Race – 4th B-Main – 2nd A-Main – 12th
JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: “It was good to be back running with the World of Outlaws regulars this weekend. Charlotte is one of my favorite tracks and we were able to try a few things that we normally wouldn’t have if we were running for points. We got behind early with our qualifying runs and it was hard to make up ground. The crew worked really hard all weekend and I felt like we made some gains on the Valvoline/Seubert Calf Ranches Ford for the features. We started in the back and passed a lot of cars. I’m happy we were able to make the car better each night, and I’m really looking forward to the 2015 season.”
