SHINNSTON, W. Va. - Feb. 19, 2013 - Josh Richards kicked off the final week of his season-opening dirt-track swing through the Southeast with a definite bang.
The 24-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., scored back-to-back wins in a 24-hour span, capturing the inaugural 75-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series Super Sunday Showdown on Feb. 17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Super Late Model A-Main that kicked off the 42nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Monday evening (Feb. 18) at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
Throw in the 50-lap WoO LMS Winter Freeze checkered flag that Richards grabbed on Feb. 9 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and it's clear that the two-time World of Outlaws champion is making his presence known in the dirt-racing world after being away from the WoO LMS most of the 2012 season competing on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit.
"It's been a fun year so far," said Richards, who hasn't finished worse than fourth in his six starts through Feb. 18 behind the wheel of Mark Richards Valvoline-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car. "I've got to thank all my guys - my dad, Matt (Barnes), Cody (Duncan), Steve (Baker) and all the guys back at the shop. We've all been working really great together. We've built some really great racecars and have an awesome (Roush Yates) engine package.
"There's a lot of racing left, but everything couldn't be going better for us."
Richards' biggest triumph of the young season came on Sunday night when he roared to victory in the Super Sunday Showdown that closed the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals. After recording solid finishes of third (Friday's 35-lapper) and fourth (Saturday's 50-lapper), Richards busted through with a convincing performance in the big-money finale. He gained command of the race from Jimmy Owens on lap 18 and never looked back on his way to a $20,000 score.
"I just gotta thank (BRP co-owner) Bubba (Clem) for putting on this kind of race for us," said Richards, who is planning to follow the WoO LMS in 2013 while continuing to pursue opportunities in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he competed last year. "It's cool to win the big one of the week."
Richards was right back on the attack Monday night in the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit at Volusia, a half-mile track where he won four straight WoO LMS season openers from 2007-2010. He failed to win during the 2011 and 2012 editions of the event, but he fixed that with an impressive triumph in the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event. Charging forward from the 10th starting spot, he passed Steve Francis for the lead on lap 18 and dominated the remainder of the distance to pocket a $7,000 winner's check.
"It definitely feels good to get back in Victory Lane at Volusia," said Richards, whose Monday victory was the sixth of his career during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit. "I was a little nervous coming in here because we weren't that good last year, but we made a few changes to the car and we stepped up our engine program and everything came together.
"We have five more long nights of racing to go (at Volusia), though - and the real important ones are this weekend (WoO LMS events on Feb. 21-23). We'll try to keep on top of everything and hopefully carry this momentum through the whole week."
Richards will continue racing all week at Volusia, competing in DIRTcar UMP Super Late Models shows on Feb. 19 and 20 and WoO LMS programs for the final three nights (Feb. 21-23). He leads the WoO LMS points standings into this weekend's action.
For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com and follow him on Twitter at @Josh_Richards1 and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JoshRichardsRacing.
Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D's, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Tony Stewart Racing, Rocket Chassis, Roush Yates 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, Turbo Start Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm's Cycles, Weld Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions.
The 24-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., scored back-to-back wins in a 24-hour span, capturing the inaugural 75-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series Super Sunday Showdown on Feb. 17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Super Late Model A-Main that kicked off the 42nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Monday evening (Feb. 18) at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.
Throw in the 50-lap WoO LMS Winter Freeze checkered flag that Richards grabbed on Feb. 9 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and it's clear that the two-time World of Outlaws champion is making his presence known in the dirt-racing world after being away from the WoO LMS most of the 2012 season competing on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit.
"It's been a fun year so far," said Richards, who hasn't finished worse than fourth in his six starts through Feb. 18 behind the wheel of Mark Richards Valvoline-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car. "I've got to thank all my guys - my dad, Matt (Barnes), Cody (Duncan), Steve (Baker) and all the guys back at the shop. We've all been working really great together. We've built some really great racecars and have an awesome (Roush Yates) engine package.
"There's a lot of racing left, but everything couldn't be going better for us."
Richards' biggest triumph of the young season came on Sunday night when he roared to victory in the Super Sunday Showdown that closed the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals. After recording solid finishes of third (Friday's 35-lapper) and fourth (Saturday's 50-lapper), Richards busted through with a convincing performance in the big-money finale. He gained command of the race from Jimmy Owens on lap 18 and never looked back on his way to a $20,000 score.
"I just gotta thank (BRP co-owner) Bubba (Clem) for putting on this kind of race for us," said Richards, who is planning to follow the WoO LMS in 2013 while continuing to pursue opportunities in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he competed last year. "It's cool to win the big one of the week."
Richards was right back on the attack Monday night in the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit at Volusia, a half-mile track where he won four straight WoO LMS season openers from 2007-2010. He failed to win during the 2011 and 2012 editions of the event, but he fixed that with an impressive triumph in the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event. Charging forward from the 10th starting spot, he passed Steve Francis for the lead on lap 18 and dominated the remainder of the distance to pocket a $7,000 winner's check.
"It definitely feels good to get back in Victory Lane at Volusia," said Richards, whose Monday victory was the sixth of his career during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit. "I was a little nervous coming in here because we weren't that good last year, but we made a few changes to the car and we stepped up our engine program and everything came together.
"We have five more long nights of racing to go (at Volusia), though - and the real important ones are this weekend (WoO LMS events on Feb. 21-23). We'll try to keep on top of everything and hopefully carry this momentum through the whole week."
Richards will continue racing all week at Volusia, competing in DIRTcar UMP Super Late Models shows on Feb. 19 and 20 and WoO LMS programs for the final three nights (Feb. 21-23). He leads the WoO LMS points standings into this weekend's action.
For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com and follow him on Twitter at @Josh_Richards1 and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JoshRichardsRacing.
Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D's, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Tony Stewart Racing, Rocket Chassis, Roush Yates 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, Turbo Start Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm's Cycles, Weld Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions.
