Richards Earns Trifecta After Sweeping World of Outlaws Late Model Series Weekend
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.