Josh Richards Rockets to $12,000 Payday in the ‘8th Annual Big Kahuna’
Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS)
By Jason Shank
Cumberland, MD - Some might say Josh Richards has arrived. With the support of his father, Mark Richards, one of the most successful Late Model chassis builders in history, in addition to that of NASCAR® star Tony Stewart, a rabid Dirt Late Model enthusiast and owner of Eldora Speedway it could be easy to conclude. But when you put this formula together, it doesn’t always spell success. The person that is behind the wheel has got to have talent and ‘Kid Rocket’, as he has been dubbed exudes talent. Josh currently sits fourth in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series point standings while winning four races on their tour in 2008. And now, in just his third MACS start of the year, he bagged his second triumph claiming the $12,000 top prize, as he dominated the ‘8th Annual Big Kahuna’ at Rick and Ernie Jones’, Oval Track Promotions effort at ‘The Rock’ Allegany County Speedway, Cumberland, MD. With Richards win along came another couple notches on the belt for Rocket chassis as Jason Covert, York Haven, PA became the first, three-time MACS champion in addition to Dover, PA’s Coleby Frye claiming the 2008 AlturnaMATS® MACS Rookie of the Year title.
The 50-lap, Big Kahuna VIII was led trackside by Ricky Elliott and Richards as the paced the star-studded field to green. As the field blasted their way through the first corner and into turn two, Elliott and Richards were racing extremely hard with each other and the duo ultimately made contract causing Elliott start to lose control of his mount. Richards contact with the polesitter, left him no where to go as he tried to take evasive action after catching Elliott’s rear corner-panel sending him spinning in front of the pack. Cars were scattering everywhere as Jeremy Miller and Tim McCreadie waxed Elliott but where able maintain there momentum. The same couldn’t be said for 2005 MACS Champion, Mike Balzano, as well as D.J. Troutman as they made contract with the spun pole sitter relegating the trio to the rear of the field. All the cars involved where able to continue for the restart. The realigned field now saw ageless veteran, and 2008 National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame inductee, Gary Stuhler inherit the pole position for the ensuing restart. As the green again waved, Richards jumped out into lead over Covert, who had catapulted past Stuhler to claim second.
The action continued on the huge 5/8 mile oval as Richards caught lapped traffic in just nine short circuits. The following lap saw the events third caution as Randy Burkholder spun in turn three. On the restart, Richards led Covert, Steve Francis, Boom Briggs (from ninth), and Miller rounded out the top five. The top quintet was setting a torrid pace around the picturesque facility as Doug Horton shot into the top ten from his 17th place starting position. As racing continued, Miller locked up in a spectacular duel with Rick Eckert for fifth.
By lap 20, Richards had stretched his margin over Covert to almost an eight car lengths as the 2007 MACS Rookie of the Year, Matt Lux, was falling from sixth to eighth after both Stuhler and Horton blasted around the Franklin, PA hot shoe. A mere ten laps later Josh continued to set a blistering pace and had built a full straightaway lead while Covert and Francis were hooked up in a dog fight for second. Eckert was reeling in the competition as he moved past Briggs to claim fourth. Two late cautions closed up the field and eliminated Richards huge advantage. Each time the 20-year old Richards answered the call as he would again pull away from his closets contenders. Richards held the point the rest of the way to the checkers going claiming his second career MACS victory and the $12,000 top prize. Freshly crowned 2008 MACS Champion Jason Covert settled for second followed by Francis, Eckert, and Briggs in fifth. Miller led the next flight of five finisher with Stuhler in seventh followed by Horton, Davey Johnson, and Jared Miley, from fifteenth.
<Tags: 8th Annual Big Kahuna, Kid Rocket