FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2011
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Still Super at Winchester: Richards Breaks Through for First World of Outlaws Late Model Series Victory of 2011 and Becomes Tour's Career Win Leader

SHINNSTON, W. Va. - June 20, 2011 - A visit to Winchester (Va.) Speedway was just what Josh Richards needed to get back on the winning track on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Racing at a track where he's shined in special-show starts over the past two years - and driving the Ernie Davis-owned Rocket No. 25 that has been his mount every time he's attacked the one-third-mile oval - Richards captured Saturday night's Gunter's Honey Spring 50 to earn his long-awaited first victory of 2011 on the national tour.

With this triumph, the 23-year-old star from Shinnston, W.Va., became the winningest driver on the WoO LMS since its reincarnation in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner. It was his 29th career win on the circuit, breaking him out of a tie with Steve Francis atop the win list.

"I'm excited to finally get a win this year and break that tie with Francis (on the career list)," Richards said in a WoO LMS press release. "It still feels unreal to be the all-time winner now."

In the first-ever WoO LMS event at Winchester, Richards, who started from the pole position, passed Vic Coffey for the lead on lap seven of the 50-lap A-Main and never relinquished the top spot. He survived a late-race challenge from Jamie Lathroum to secure the checkered flag.

"I saw my crew guys (motioning from the infield) - I knew someone was coming," Richards said in the WoO LMS release. "I thought it was (Darrell) Lanigan, (but) it was Lathroum. He came up through there and raced hard.

"I was just trying to keep the lead," he added. "I felt like we were a little bit too soft on tires, so I was just doing all I could to hold on at the end. That was definitely the hardest (race) I've ever won here."

The victory gave Richards eight wins in his last 10 starts at Winchester, including three this season. All of his scores have come behind the wheel of Davis' No. 25, a machine he runs in most non-WoO LMS events.

"It was just more convenient (to run Davis' machine)," said Richards, who entered the first WoO LMS event of his career in a car not owned by his father. "Ernie's is 25 minutes up the road (in Martinsburg, W. Va.) and we've been running good in this car here, so it just made sense to bring it here.

"Our car would've been fine tonight. I feel like we still could have won in it. But there's no doubt that we run great here with Ernie's stuff, so why not stay with what works? It's also cool to get a World of Outlaws win for Ernie and his family here at their home track."

Richards, who timed eighth-fastest in the 30-car field, won his heat race after Davis' Joey Pingleton-led crew changed a seized-up rear end on the car. He then set out on a mission in the A-Main.

"Starting on the pole, I knew it was our race to lose," said Richards. "I was hungry for a win and I wasn't gonna lose from a lack of effort."

Richards, who came to Winchester after finishing 10th in Friday's ARCA Racing Series RainEater Wiper Blades 200 at Michigan International Speedway, drew closer to the top spot in the WoO LMS points standings with his victory. He sits second in the points race after 11 events, trailing Rick Eckert by just 12 points.

Next on Richards' WoO LMS agenda is the fifth Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., a three-day extravaganza that runs from June 23-25. The weekend includes full programs topped by 30-lap, A-Mains on Thurs., June 23, and Fri., June 24, and the 100-lapper on Sat., June 25.

Richards won the first preliminary feature during last year's Firecracker 100 weekend but fell short in the 100-lap headliner, finishing seventh. He is confident that this year he can make a bid for the biggest win of his career driving his father's blue No. 1.

For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com, follow him on Twitter at @Josh_Richards1.

Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Rocket Chassis, Kentucky Fuel Corporation, Cornett Racing Engines, Seubert Calf Ranches,Ernie D's Enterprises, ACE Metal Works, Petroff Towing, Tony Stewart Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Integra Shocks, Slavic Custom Decals, Valvoline, AEM, ATL Fuel Cells, Aurora Bearing Company, Autolite, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Systems, Beyea Performance, Brinn Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Braswell Carburetion, Butlerbuilt Seat Systems, CV Products, Dohm Cycles, Dyer's Top Rods, Fram Filters, Frankland Rearends, Howe Racing, LSI, MSD Ignition, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction Brakes, Performance Rod & Custom, Rand, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Simpson Race Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Tel Tech, TWM Racing Products, Trick Carbon Fiber Driveshafts, Jones Racing Products, TurboStart Racing Batteries, Ultra Lite Brakes, US Brake, Weld Racing Wheels, Will Kinzer Foundation, Wehr's Machine, Wilwood and Wrisco Aluminum.