SHINNSTON, WV – The 2009 racing season has packed drama and action worthy of a television show for Josh Richards. Now, the season will wrap with cameras trailing the World of Outlaws’ Late Model Series (WoOLMS) standout at the trifecta of events concluding the tour’s nail-biting finale at The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Richards blasted out of the gate with a domination of Florida’s East Bay Raceway Park with three Lucas Oil Late Model Series’ wins within a 24 hour span before crossing the Sunshine State and earning his third consecutive WoOLMS’ season opening victory at Volusia Speedway Park as well as an additional $10,000 UMP victory that same week. The West Virginia native also celebrated his 21st birthday in March while on tour with the WoOLMS but has demonstrated a veteran’s mastery of intense competition. In fact, Richards and former WoOLMS’ champion Steve Francis have had a hotly contested championship battle for most of the season and the duo will face off this week for the postponed “Topless Showdown” and two-part “World Finals” for the $100,000 championship prize.
Richards assumed the seat of the No. 1 Rocket Chassis house car from Francis, 42, six years ago and has excelled ever since and credits lessons learned from Francis for contributing to his achievements.
“Steve has been a mentor to me since I started and I’ve always looked up to him,” noted Richards. “He’s taught me a lot so it is kind of weird that I need to use some of that knowledge to try and win the championship but I’m honored to be racing for the World of Outlaws’ championship with him.”
Both drivers have a tenacity that has created a dramatic setting for the season finale as they have been in a dead heat most of the season. Richards has come a long way from his days as the new kid on the block when he earned the 2005 WoOLMS’ Rookie of the Year honors and has spent the most time atop this season’s leaderboard. He now boasts seven wins during this year’s tour versus Francis’ six while both drivers have earned 31 WoOLMS’ Top-10 finishes and 5 fast qualifying awards.
Now all eyes will be cast to The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway for the intense showdown that will commence Wednesday night for the $10,000-to-win “Topless Showdown”. Richards is no stranger to high expectations and pressure but knows the importance of putting his best foot forward now.
“I’ve always been pretty relaxed at the track but this is going to test my limits,” chuckled Richards. “It wouldn’t be any different if I had the four-point advantage over Francis at this point but he’s been in this situation before where he lost a championship at the very end so I know that he will give it 120%. I’m just honored to have the opportunity and hope that we both have trouble-free performances so it strictly comes down to clean competition and performance as the deciding factor.”
Richards hopes to improve upon his position as last year’s runner-up in the championship standings while Francis is looking to reclaim the title he earned in 2007. Adding to the excitement, the World of Outlaws’ Sprint Cars will also compete in the “World Finals” and SPEED will provide live televised coverage on Saturday night. The roving cameras of Three Wide Life will also shadow Richards throughout the week for a special feature. Three Wide Life is an entertaining, motorsports TV show that gives behind-the-scenes coverage of life in the pits and is broadcast on various television syndicates across the nation as well as online streaming video.