Richards Captures Back-to-Back Victories
At East Bay Raceway Park
SHINNSTON, W.Va. (Feb. 11, 2016) – Josh Richards kept his Florida/Georgia Speedweeks winning streak alive scoring back-to-back victories at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday. Richards also brought home a podium finish of third on Wednesday at the one-third-mile track after sustaining nose damage during a mid-race restart.
The Rocket Chassis driver entered Monday night’s race with a burst of momentum coming off of a $15,000-to-win victory the night before at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Georgia. Richards started the night by qualifying fifth in Group A. His time trial effort lined him up in third for Heat 1. Richards maintained his position in the eight-lap heat race, placing him in ninth for the start of the A-Main. At the drop of the green flag, the 27-year-old driver was shuffled back to 11th on Lap 1. On a mission to make his way to the lead, Richards wasted no time driving toward the front of the field and was scored in third after just 15 circuits. With 10 laps remaining, the Valvoline driver continued his impressive drive to the front and was in command of the race on Lap 20. Once in the lead, Richards easily drove to his third victory of the year.
Fresh off of a win from the night before, the West Virginia native hoped to carry his success into Tuesday evening. He began the night by qualifying in second. His effort placed him on the pole for the start of Heat 3, and Richards led flag-to-flag capturing the heat race win. Starting fourth for the 25-lap Feature, Richards didn’t waste any time driving to second on the initial lap. Just eight laps later, the superstar driver was in command of the race and once out front he never looked back, leading the remaining 17 laps to bring home his fourth victory in just five races this season.
Entering Wednesday night with high hopes, Richards showed he was again going to be a force to be reckoned with after qualifying second in Group A. Starting on the pole for Heat Race 2, the diver of the No. 1 Rocket easily drove to the victory leading all 10 laps. His heat race win lined him up in the third spot for the 35-lap A-Main. Shortly after the drop of the green flag, Richards made his way to the second spot, where he remained until a mid-race caution. As the field bunched together on the ensuing restart, Richards’ Valvoline machine sustained damage, tearing a hole in the nose. Falling as far back as sixth, Richards was determined not to let the damage deter his run toward the front. With just 15 laps remaining, the three-time World of Outlaws Champion muscled his way to a podium finish, crossing the line in third.
With four wins and two third-places finishes to start the year, Richards will leave the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and head to Screven Motorsports Complex in Sylvania, Ga., for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series season-opener Feb. 12-13.
Monday Results
Qualifying – 5th Heat Race – 3rd Feature Start -9th Feature Finish – 1st
Tuesday Results
Qualifying – 2nd Heat Race – 1st Feature Start – 1st Feature Finish – 1st
Wednesday Results
Qualifying – 2nd Heat Race -1st Feature Start – 3rd Feature Finish- 3rd
JOSH RICHARDS QUOTES: "It really feels good to have had such a great start to the year, I feel really blessed. We’ve run these Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series races the last couple of weeks to try and get as much experience as we could in the new XR1 Rocket Chassis and it’s really paid off.
“We’ve had a great Speedweeks so far in our Valvoline car and we hope to carry that momentum into our first World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series races of the year this weekend at Screven (Motorsports Complex). We’ve always run pretty well there so, I’m really looking forward to going back and trying to get the No. 1 back in Victory Lane.”
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.