FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2015
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Josh Richards Finishes Sixth in Pittsburgher 100 at PPMS
  
SHINNSTON, W.Va. (August 31) - After jumping to the lead early in the Pittsburgher 100, Josh Richards ultimately finished sixth, fighting a tight-condition in Saturday night's Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series 100-lap finale at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway.

The two-night show at the half-mile Pennsylvania track began Friday with qualifying and heat races. Richards started the evening by turning the fastest qualifying lap in Group B. His time trial effort lined him up on the pole for Heat Race 3. Starting first, the West Virginia native easily pulled away from the field capturing the victory in the 10-lap race. His heat race win lined him up on the outside pole for Saturday's 100-lap event.

Before Saturday's prestigious $20,000-to-win race, Richards took to the track for hot laps and was credited with turning the fastest lap. As the sun went down, the field lined up for the 100-lap Feature with Richards starting second. It didn't take long for the 27-year-old to make his way to the point position, passing leader Scott Bloomquist on the initial lap. Richards continued to lead until Lap 16 when Jimmy Owens overtook the spot. The Rocket Chassis driver remained in second for the next 18 circuits until retaking the lead on Lap 34. A Lap 38 caution period proved to be detrimental to Richards as he struggled to find grip on the restart and slipped back to fourth. In the next 10 laps, two more caution flags flew, and on each ensuing restart Richards lost a position as he was unable to find traction. Running in sixth at the halfway point, the Mark Richards Racing driver began to fight a tight-condition and it was all he could do to maintain his position. Continuing to struggle on the restarts, Richards fell back to as far as eighth with just five laps remaining. Though he had an ill-handling car, Richards muscled his way up to sixth on Lap 97 and maintained his position until the checkered flag flew.

The Valvoline driver is scheduled to return to World of Outlaws Late Model Series action Sept. 4-6 in the Keystone State, racing Friday and Saturday at Lernerville Speedway and Sunday at Selinsgrove Speedway.
 
Friday Results
Qualifying - 1st   Heat Race -1st           
 
Saturday Results
Feature Start -2nd   Feature Finish -6th  
   
JOSH RICHARDS QUOTE: "I had a great Valvoline car. We were really fast on Friday and we just didn't adjust enough for Saturday. In the beginning of the race I thought we had a chance to win and then the car just got really tight. I couldn't get any traction on the restarts and just kept slipping back. It's a shame because this is one of my favorite races of the season. I love racing at this track and I really wanted to come home with a win. We'll learn from our mistakes and head to Lernerville (Speedway) looking to get back in Victory Lane." 

For additional information please contact Andrea Cleveland-Richards at 704-575-2296 or via e-mail at andrea@joshrichards.com.
 
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.