Team Release

YOUTH MOVEMENT LEADS ROCKET CONTINGENT AT GOLDEN ISLES
Contact: Michelle Petroff - Josh Richards Racing

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (January 31, 2010) – In today's world of motorsports, everyone is looking for "the next big thing" and two members of that youth movement led the Rocket Chassis contingent at Golden Isles Speedway's "Super Bowl of Racing VI".

Three nights of racing, each with progressive pay, kicked off on Thursday with a $7,500 prize that was captured by veteran competitor Scott Bloomquist. Seventeen year-old Austin Hubbard's podium finish in his family-owned No. 11 Hab Nab Trucking mount was the highest of the Rocket Chassis' entries. On Friday, Josh Richards drove his No. 1 Seubert Calf Ranches' Rocket Chassis house car to a $10,000 payday and his first win of the 2010 season in only his second start. However, Saturday's $12,000 capstone event was the one that everyone was anxiously anticipating to see if the reigning champions of the two national series – Bloomquist (Lucas Oil) and Richards (World of Outlaws) would repeat.

"We have tried to get a win here for the last few years so it feels awesome to finally get one," stated Richards. "I got a little behind in qualifying but we had a good enough car capable of getting out front but I knew that (Dennis) Erb was going to be tough to beat. Lap traffic played to our favor so it's nice to finally add Golden Isles to our win list and build some momentum."

Heavy rains added to wickedly fast track conditions for Saturday's finale and the first heat race was plagued by cautions. Richards was one of the early victims of the carnage and took a wild ride with his No. 1 Rocket suffering significant damage. Meanwhile, Austin Hubbard, one of the 2010 competitors vying for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series' Rookie of the Year title, won the first heat and the pole starting position for the 60-lap A-Main. Richards' team was able to prepare a car in time for the consolation race so he could earn a starting spot for the main event.

Hubbard paced the field from the drop of the green flag while Richards contended with a full field ahead of him from his 19th place starting position. However, as laps clicked off, both the teenage Hubbard and 21 year-old Richards drove like seasoned veterans. Hubbard had little margin for error out front as Richards steadily advanced into the Top-5. With Bloomquist unsuccessful in finding an opportunity to pass the high school senior, Hubbard kicked off his touring rookie season with a major victory while Richards passed Dan Schlieper after the final caution flag for third place.

"What a feeling," exclaimed Hubbard, whose Ricky Bobby-esque Victory Lane celebration shocked the crowd. "I was nervous before the race and talked to Josh (Richards) and he told me to stay calm, smooth and just focus on hitting my marks. This track is so intense I had little time to think about much else in the car except I did glance at the board and see Josh up in the Top-5 so I was a little worried. All of the hard word is worth it with nights like this."

The fresh-faced, young duo notched two of three wins and earned four Top-5 finishes for Rocket Chassis. Richards was one of the first people in Victory Lane to congratulate Hubbard on his win. It isn't often that you can be 21 years old and considered a veteran mentor.

"Austin is a good racer and did a phenomenal job," Richards added. "All of us at Rocket are very proud of him and know that this is just the beginning for him. The WoOLMS' tour is grueling but it will make even a good racer better so I am looking forward to watching him continue to grow during his rookie season."

Richards, Hubbard and most of the nation's premier teams will converge at East Bay Raceway Park in Florida for six nights of racing in the "Lucas Oil Winternationals". Richards will compete the first three nights in the No. 25 Ernie D's Enterprises Rocket before trekking across the state to attempt his first event at the famed Daytona International Speedway. Follow the latest news and information online at http://www.joshrichards.com

Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Rocket Chassis, Cornett Racing Engines, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D's Enterprises, ACE Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Petroff Towing, Tony Stewart Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Integra Shocks, Slavic Custom Decals, Valvoline, AEM, AFCO, 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, Kwik Change Product, LSI, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction Brakes, Performance Rod & Custom, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Simpson Race Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Tel Tech, TWM Racing Products, Trick Carbon Fiber Driveshafts, TurboStart Racing Batteries, US Brake, Weld Racing Wheels, Wehr's Machine, Wilwood and Wrisco Aluminum.