FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2015
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Richards Highlights Labor Day Weekend of Racing with Second-Place Finish at Lernerville Speedway

SHINNSTON, W.Va. (September 8) - Josh Richards scored a second-place finish at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on Friday night to kick-off three days of racing in the Keystone State. He rounded out Labor Day Weekend notching two top-five finishes at Lernerville on Saturday and Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway on Sunday.

Richards started the World of Outlaws Late Model Series three-day racing extravaganza   at Lernerville Speedway on Friday. He began the night by qualifying fourth in Group A time trials. His effort lined him up in the second spot for Heat Race 2. Richards maintained his position throughout the 10-lap event, making him eligible for the redraw. The 27-year-old drew the sixth starting spot for the 50-lap Feature. Lining up on the outside of row three, Richards quickly grabbed two spots at the drop the green flag and was scored in fourth on just the first lap. Running the middle and low racing grooves, Richards continued to make up ground on the leader and had worked his way up to second at Lap 10. As the laps wore on, the Valvoline driver remained in second, but appeared to be gaining ground on leader Shane Clanton. With just a few circuits remaining, Richards began battling a tight-condition as his right-front tire began to lose air. Despite having a tire going down, Richards was able to hold on finishing second when the checkered flag flew.

With heavy rain postponing the Firecracker 100 at Lernerville Speedway on June 27, Saturday night marked the makeup date. With Heat Race lineups already established from the June 25 and 26 feature races, Richards was set to start deep in the field after fighting engine issues back in June. Lining up in the fifth spot in Heat 1, Richards was unable to gain any ground as the field spread out nose-to-tail. He ultimately finished fifth when the checkered flag flew. With only the top-four cars transferring to the main event, the West Virginia native was forced to run a B-Main. Starting on the pole of his B-Main, Richards easily pulled away from the field to win the 15-lap event. Transferring into the Feature by virtue of the B-Main, the Rocket Chassis driver lined up 17th for the 100-lap event. On a mission to find his way toward the front, Richards sliced and diced his way through the field and was up to 12th by Lap 10. Continuing his impressive run toward the front, Richards was lurking just outside the top-five at the halfway mark. At Lap 63 Richards was scored in fourth and had the leaders in his sights. He maintained his position for the next 24 laps, before a tight-condition forced him back a position to fifth. Fighting a tight racecar for the remainder of the event, the superstar driver was able to hold on to bring home a top-five finish. Richards was credited as the biggest mover, going from 17th to fifth in the Firecracker 100.

Sunday the Series invaded Selinsgrove Speedway for a one-night show and Richards started the night by running the fastest lap in Group B qualifying. His time trial effort lined him up on the pole for Heat Race 3. Richards led all 10 laps en route to his heat race win, making him eligible for the redraw. As luck would have it, Richards drew a one, putting him on the pole for the 40-lap Feature. His luck would quickly run out as he lost the lead going into Turn 1 on the initial lap. Fighting a very loose racecar, Richards got high in Turn 4 on Lap 3 and lost another position, putting him back to third. He wasn't about to give up and remained in third until Lap 21 all while fighting an ill-handing machine. With no traction, Richards slipped back to fifth on a Lap 24 restart. Still struggling with a loose-condition, Richards was able to maintain his position for the remainder of the race coming home with a hard-fought fifth-place finish.

Richards remains second in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings, 170 markers behind leader Clanton.

The Series will take the weekend off, returning to action Sept. 18-19 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan. However, the Rocket Chassis team will return to racing action this weekend at Eldora Speedway Sept. 10-12, for the World 100.

Friday Results
Qualifying - 4th  | Heat Race - 2nd |  Feature Start - 6th | Feature Finish - 2nd  
Saturday Results
Qualifying - N/A | Heat Race - 5th |  Feature Start - 17th | Feature Finish -5th
Sunday Results
Qualifying - 1st  |  Heat Race -1st | Feature Start - 1st  |  Feature Finish- 5th    

JOSH RICHARDS QUOTES: "Overall we had a decent weekend in our Valvoline car. We had a good car on Friday, but took a bit of a gamble on tires. We were a little too soft with our compound and we actually had a right-front tire going down at the end. We fought some handling issues on Saturday and Sunday, but we still managed to pull off top-five finishes. We were hoping to bring home some more wins this weekend, but we'll keep our heads up. We've got some homework to do when we get back to the shop to get ready for Eldora this weekend. Hopefully we can return to Victory Lane at the World 100."

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.