Jonathan Davenport Recovers from Early Troubles for Second

NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. – August 6, 2016 – Josh Richards won his second career USA Nationals finale Saturday night at Cedar Lake Speedway.  The victory marked his 20^th of the season (13^th in the series) and 71^st of his career in the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series – one win from tying for the all-time series record.

“I don’t know what to say…I’m speechless,” said Richards, winning the $50,000 purse. “I can’t thank everyone enough for coming out. This car has been so fun to drive. This is awesome.”

The caution-filled night began with the 100-lap feature’s first on lap 10. Jonathan Davenport, who started runner-up to Shane Clanton, suffered a flat right rear tire. It seemed “Superman” had found his Kryptonite, as he veered-off into the pits. The other 30 cars moved-up for the restart; Richards and Mason Zeigler shared the podium with Clanton.

On the restart Clanton and Richards separated from the rest of the field. Zeigler and Eric Wells paired-up and dueled for the third spot. Wells was the weekend’s fast time winner, a first for him since his rookie year in 2013. He continued his hot streak; however, Zeigler briefly extinguished his chances of passing him. (more…)

Shane Clanton to Lead Field into the Green Flag for Saturday’s 100-Lap Finale

NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. – Jason Feger ran away with the FANSFund Dash Friday night at Cedar Lake Speedway. Feger started the day from qualifying toward the back of the pack to placing third in his heat. He heated up as the night went on, capitalizing when it mattered the most to win the $2,500 purse.

Feger led the 12-driver field into the green flag for the 12-lap shootout. Rookie of the Year contender Tyler Erb was to start 13^th in the show, but mechanical issues prevented him from competing. Once the green flag waved the field in, the “High-side Hustler” did what he does best, rising to the top of the track with his No. 25F Cheap Cars/ Floyd’s Waste Systems Black Diamond racecar.

“It’s the fastest track we’ve been on all weekend,” said Feger, who took advantage of the track preparation before the race. “We were able to get to the top of the track there on the cushion, and it was pretty easy to run on. I just held it on the floor for 12 laps and made sure I didn’t jump over the berm.” (more…)

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…)