Josh Richards Captures His 12^th Win of the Season, 70^th Career Series Victory

NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. – August 4, 2016 – Josh Richards got his golden egg Thursday night, reaching one dozen wins at Cedar Lake Speedway’s USA Nationals preliminary show. It was Richards’ 70th career World of Outlaws Craftsman®Late Model Series win.

“From 2013-15 the track changed,” said Richards, who won the $6,000 purse. “But from last year to this year, the track was quite a bit different – with the surface and everything. We could race on it really well. I want to thank all the track guys for putting on this event and working hard on the track. This is the track to race on. Thanks to all the fans for coming out.”

Richards, who won his heat race earlier in the night, caught fire in the 30-lap feature. He was supposed to start fifth in the A-Main, but electrical failures in Jonathan Davenport’s car forced him to forfeit third position. This moved everyone up by one position. Davenport won the show last season, but helped others’ cases to win this time around. (more…)

Clanton Holds on After a Late Push from Richards to Gain Traction in the Points Race

SHAWANO, Wisc. – August 2, 2016 – Rivals Shane Clanton and Josh Richards battled down to the wire Tuesday night at Shawano Speedway (Wisc.), but there could only be one top dog at the checkers of the “Sun Drop Shootout.” It was Clanton who idled into victory lane in front of a packed grandstand. This was win No. 7 for the “Georgia Bulldog.”

“It takes a great piece under the hood to make these big half-mile [tracks] work,” said Clanton, who has won at two other half-mile tracks this season (Volusia, Mason City).

Before the green flag waved the field in, Clanton – the series defending champion – climbed one position to start in the first row on the outside. Jimmy Mars was supposed to lead the pack. But, an impromptu tire change before the feature sent him to the back of the pack.  This left two former champions to a drag race down the front stretch for the lead. Clanton and 2011 series champion Rick Eckert led the stampede of cars into turn one, where Clanton had the advantage on the outside. He took the lead.

Within the first 10 laps, the margins were equally divided among the top three – Clanton, Eckert and points leader Richards. The group spaced-out into approximately 1.3-second margins, and it stayed that way until the group hit lapped traffic on lap 11. (more…)

Dennis Erb Jr. Rekindles a Past Battle Between the Two Late

FAIRBURY, Ill. – July 30, 2016 – Josh Richards completed the “Prairie Dirt Classic” sweep Saturday night in front of a packed house, winning the 100-lap finale at Fairbury American Legion Speedway. The victory was Richards’ 11^th of the season and his 69^th of his career in the series.

“To win this race at Fairbury, it’s one I’ve always looked forward to,” Richards said. “It’s cool to finally get one.”

Richards, starting 11^th in the feature, worked his way to the top gradually. While he was in the pursuit of the podium, race leader Steve Casebolt – who led the field into the green flag – established himself on the top cushion of the 1/4-mile oval.

In the opening laps, Casebolt extended his lead to nearly four seconds, while the trio of drivers behind him spanned three-wide among the width of the track. On lap 15, Casebolt broke into lapped traffic – using the nose of his car to wedge himself through the field. Don O’Neal capitalized on the three-way battle, side-skirting the completion into second position. O’Neal used the bottom of the track for the majority of the race. (more…)

Runs Away with $5,000 Unsanctioned Victory in 25-lap #FALS Draw Showdown

FAIRBURY, Ill. – July 29, 2016 – Josh Richards successfully made a late-dash for the lead Friday night, winning the second annual #FALS Draw Showdown. The preliminary was a part of the “Prairie Dirt Classic” at Fairbury American Legion Speedway, which is wholly a two-day program ending with a World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series sanctioned 100-lap feature.

“It sure feels good to be in victory lane,” Richards said. “I know tomorrow is really when it counts, but these guys are all extremely tough. This is probably the toughest local crowd you can ever come to. We gambled on tires a little bit, and the car was great. It worked. We have 100 laps tomorrow, and that’s a big difference.”

The 25-lap feature began in a deficit for Richards, who started 10^th in an 18-car field. Local favorite Kevin Weaver led the group into the green flag. Weaver, lacking the gusto he needed to ride the top cushion effectively, began to lose his grip on the lead within the first five laps. (more…)