For Immediate Release
October 15, 2010

Charlotte 'Showdown' Victory Vaults Richards Back Atop World of Outlaws Late Model Series Points Standings

SHINNSTON, W. Va. - Oct. 15, 2010 - Josh Richards came through in the clutch on Wednesday night at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in Concord, N.C., scoring a flag-to-flag win in the 50-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Showdown that vaulted him back atop the national tour's points standings.

The 22-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., turned a two-point deficit to Darrell Lanigan into a 22-point lead with a powerful midweek performance at the four-tenths-mile oval across the street from Charlotte Motor Speedway. Lanigan finished 12th after pitting to change a flat right front tire on lap 13.

Now Richards finds himself in the driver's seat for a second consecutive WoO LMS points championship. Just two races remain on the tour's 2010 schedule - both at The Dirt Track at Charlotte as part of the World Finals on Nov. 4-6.

"It's unfortunate that Lanigan had some bad luck tonight, but there's still a long way to go," said Richards, who earned $10,675 for his series leading eighth triumph of 2010. "We have to race hard when we come back here for the Finals. You can lose a lot of points in one night, so we just have to stay consistent and stay focused."

Richards started second in his Mark Richards Racing Enterprises Rocket car grabbing the lead just after the initial green flag; he fought hard to win the Showdown for the second consecutive year. He was challenged just before the halfway point and again in the final laps by Tim McCreadie, who crossed the finish line second.

"Everybody did an awesome job - my dad (Mark), Matt (Barnes) and Jimmy (Frye)," said Richards. "Even (Tony) Stewart - he was in the pits scraping mud before the race and I guess he put the magic touch on it for us."

The triumph gave Richards 28 career wins on the WoO LMS, tying him with Steve Francis for first place on the tour's all time win list since 2004. He also moved within one victory of matching the tour's single season win record of nine set in 2004 by Scott Bloomquist.

Richards will attempt to carry his momentum to his home state this weekend when he competes in the prestigious Dirt Track World Championship on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 15-16) at West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells.

For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com and follow him on Twitter at @Josh_Richards1.

Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Rocket Chassis, Cornett Racing Engines, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D's Enterprises, ACE Metal Works, Petroff Towing, Tony Stewart Racing, Sunoco Race Fuels, Hoosier Racing Tires, Integra Shocks, Slavic Custom Decals, Valvoline, AEM, AFCO, ATL Fuel Cells, Aurora Bearing Company, Autolite, Banshee Graphics, Barnes Systems, Beyea Performance, Brinn Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Braswell Carburetion, Butlerbuilt Seat Systems, CV Products, Dohm Cycles, Dyer's Top Rods, Fram Filters, Frankland Rearends, Howe Racing, Kwik Change Product, LSI, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Outerwears, Performance Bodies, Performance Friction Brakes, Performance Rod & Custom, Ringers Gloves, Scott Performance Wire, Simpson Race Products, Sweet Manufacturing, Tel Tech, TWM Racing Products, Trick Carbon Fiber Driveshafts, Jones Racing Products, TurboStart Racing Batteries, US Brake, Weld Racing Wheels, Wehr's Machine, Wilwood and Wrisco Aluminum.

Honey Elizabeth Rentz
Rising Star Management Group
hrentz@risingstarmg.com