Richards - World of Outlaws Late Model Thriller


Josh Richards, a rising 20-year-old star from Shinnston, W.Va., followed veteran Chub Frank for most of the race, waiting for "Chubzilla" to make a mistake. The opportunity came on lap 44 of the 50-lap feature when Frank went to the bottom of the track to try and block Richards' advance. Richards drove around the outside exiting turn 4 to grab the lead and the win.

"That was one of the most fun I've had racing in awhile. My hat is off to the crew...they worked hard in the shop this week. They put a new rearend, new transmission and new engine in this car and it paid off," said Richards beside his Mark Richards Racing Enterprises/Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket No. 1.

"This was an awesome race track...it suits the way I like to drive," added Richards of the World of Outlaws first ever appearance at "Ohio's Finest Racing" speedplant.

Richards earned $10,150 for his eighth career triumph on the WoO LMS. He became the second repeat winner in 10 tour events this season, joining four-time victor Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. The driver also completed a clean sweep of the night's action. Earlier in the program he set fast time in qualifying with a lap of 14.587 seconds and won his heat race.

"It was just a great night," said Richards, whose previous WoO LMS win this season came in the tour's opener on Feb. 14 at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. "We worked hard all week - until midnight a couple nights - trying to get this car dialed in and ready to go. We've been experimenting the last couple weeks, and we decided to get back to just bone-stock, old stuff, and it worked out for us all night."