World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series
Eriez Speedway
August 14, 2016
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Richards wins Sweet 16 at Eriez Speedway
Steve Casebolt finishes a season-best second

ERIE, Pa. – August 14, 2016 – Josh Richards captured his 16th World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series win of the season Sunday night at Eriez Speedway.  The win capped-off a dominant week for the Shinnston, W.V. driver.

The series travelled to four different states in four consecutive days for events at Delaware International Speedway (Del.), Potomac Speedway (Md.), Winchester Speedway (Va.) and Eriez Speedway (Pa.). In this stretch, Richards won three of four. Last season he managed to win three of those four shows as well. Incorporating the previous week, Richards won five of the last six, and broke Darrell Lanigan’s all-time wins record. With his win at Eriez, he increased that number to 74.

“The season has been a dream,” said Richards, who won the $10,000 purse. “I’m very fortunate to have the crew I have. Hopefully we can continue [the dream season] into Michigan.”

Earlier in the night, Richards picked up his eighth fast time award, 24th heat race win and was the fastest driver in hot laps. Richards pulled the eighth spot in the night’s redraw, which did not make the feature an easy endeavor. The two local drivers and five fellow full-timers ahead of him made his climb to the top treacherous.

“I knew when we drew the eight it was going to be tough,” said Richards, who won the $10,000 purse. “I always enjoy racing in this region. It’s closer to home, and we’ve raced these tracks for quite a while, and having success here before gives you a little more information on what to do. It definitely gives you confidence.”

Steve Casebolt on the other hand led the 25-car feature into the green flag by virtue of the redraw. This was Casebolt’s first time this season drawing the Craftsman® No. 1 wrench at the redraw, and in the first lap, he took advantage of it. He opened-up a .520 lead until a caution regrouped the field in the same lap. On the restart, Casebolt rebuilt his lead while Richards began to weave his way through the drivers separating him from the top five.

Richards made his way up to a podium position by lap seven in his No. 1 Valvoline/ Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket car. The caution flag waved one lap later, leaving Casebolt, Jared Miley and Richards at the hands of the restart. On the restart, Richards overtook Miley exiting turn three for sole possession of second place. Richards next challenge was overtaking the strong No. C9 Lias Tire/ Sudz Car Wash Rocket car of Casebolt.

“We got up to third really quickly,” Richards said. “We were all at the same speed and nothing was happening. Casebolt was setting a really good pace, and I had to work hard on him for the lead.”

Richards ran Casebolt’s lead down to as narrow as a .318 margin on lap 16, but Casebolt protected potentially his first win of the season. He rebuilt his lead back to .786 in a three-lap span. Back-and-forth, Richards took his lead back down to .225 one lap later, only for Casebolt fight back to a .680 spread until a caution on lap 23. Casebolt’s last win was on February 6, 2015.

Two laps later, Richards made his move on Casebolt. Maneuvering his car high-and-low, Richards made the pass for the lead in turn two on lap 29. Though a caution within 10 laps left instantly compromised Richards’ 2.374 lead – also renewing Casebolt’s chances – he went on to win by a 2.622 margin.

When Casebolt met Richards in victory lane, the two talked about where the track’s fastest points were. Casebolt said that “he had nothing” for Josh, who has been on a hot streak all season.

“I’m as happy as I can be finishing second,” Casebolt said. “I had a very good car. I knew Josh was back there but there was nothing I could do. With the season that we’ve had, we’re definitely happy to finish second and lead some laps.”

Miley and his No. H1 Colussy Chevrolet/ Brougher’s Machine Shop Rocket carheld his ground since Richards passed him on lap eight, finishing the feature in third. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native said he took some time off to prepare for the Outlaws, and that his preparation leading into the event paid off. Two local drivers finished in the top five; Centreville, Pa. driver Max Blair, who finished fourth, made a last attempt at a podium spot but was unsuccessful.

“I’m very happy to run as well as I did,” Miley said. I had a lot of fun battling with Blair there at the end.”

World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series Statistical Report; August 14, 2016; Eriez Speedway; Erie, Pa.

A-Main (50-laps): 1. 1- Josh Richards [8] [$10,850]; 2. C9- Steve Casebolt [1] [$5,700]; 3. H1- Jared Miley [2] [$3,600]; 4. 111- Max Blair [6] [$2,500]; 5. 25- Shane Clanton [4] [$2,800]; 6. WON11- Robbie Blair [9] [$1,700]; 7. 7- Rick Eckert [3] [$2,300]; 8. 18- Eric Wells [12] [$2,050]; 9. 91- Tyler Erb [16] [$2,000]; 10. 1*- Chub Frank [10] [$1,650]; 11. 76- Brandon Overton [18] [$1,600]; 12. 3s- Brian Shirley [13] [$1,500]; 13. 99B- Boom Briggs [7] [$1,050]; 14. 21JR- Billy Moyer Jr. [17] [$1,450]; 15. 99jr- Frank Heckenast Jr. [14] [$1,400]; 16. 44s- Dave Hess [11] [$800]; 17. 3- David Scott [24] [$770]; 18. 33- Chris Hackett [20] [$750]; 19. 22- Greg Oakes [21] [$730]; 20. 2c- Joey Coulter [5] [$700]; 21. 28- John Lobb [23] [$700]; 22. 14m- Morgan Bagley [19] [$1,200]; 23. B22- Bump Hedman [15] [$700]; 24. 22B- Darrell Bossard [22] [$725]; 25. 76K- Steve Kania [25] [$700]

Last-Chance Showdown Group No. 1 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): 1. 21JR- Billy Moyer Jr.; 2. 14m- Morgan Bagley; 3. 22- Greg Oakes; 4. 53- John Volpe; 5. 76- Steve Kania; 6. 25K- Mike Knight; 7. 28- John Lobb; 8. 40- Dutch Davies; 9. 07R- Brent Rhebergen

Last-Chance Showdown Group No. 2 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): 1. 76- Brandon Overton; 2. 33- Chris Hackett; 3. 22B- Darrell Bossard; 4. 3- David Scott; 5. 19- Bob Dorman; 6. 11- Bobby Rohrer; 7. 9- Breyton Santee; 8. W3- John Weaver

Qualifying Group No. 1: 1. 111- Max Blair, 15.456; 2. H1- Jared Miley, 15.481; 3. WON11- Robbie Blair, 15.507; 4. 25- Shane Clanton, 15.543; 5. 7- Rick Eckert, 15.564; 6. 99jr- Frank Heckenast Jr., 15.661; 7. 3s- Brian Shirley, 15.716; 8. 22- Greg Oakes, 15.719; 9.14m- Morgan Bagley, 15.726; 10. 21JR- Billy Moyer Jr., 15.763; 11. 28- John Lobb, 15.808; 12. 1*- Chub Frank, 15.839; 13. 53- John Volpe, 15.996; 14. 40- Dutch Davies, 16.008; 15. 76- Steve Kania, 16.008; 16. 25K- Mike Knight, 16.123; 17. 07R- Brent Rheberger, 16.441

Qualifying Group No. 2: 1. 1- Josh Richards, 15.449; 2. 2c- Joey Coulter, 15.613; 3. C9- Steve Casebolt, 15.635; 4. 18- Eric Wells, 15.697; 5. 44s- Dave Hess, 15.798; 6. 99B- Boom Briggs, 15.831; 7. B22- Bump Hedman, 15.862; 8. 91- Tyler Erb, 15.908; 9. 22B- Darrell Bossard, 15.951; 10. 3- David Scott, 15.990; 11. 33- Chris Hackett, 16.066; 12. 76- Brandon Overton, 16.112; 13. 19- Bob Dorman, 16.143; 14. 9- Breyton Santee, 16.484; 15. 11- Bobby Rohrer, 16.613; 16. W3- John Weaver, 16.672

Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): 1. 111- Max Blair; 2. 7- Rick Eckert; 3. WON11- Robbie Blair; 4. 3s- Brian Shirley; 5. 14m- Morgan Bagley; 6. 53. John Volpe; 7. 76- Steve Kania; 8. 28- John Lobb; 9. 07R- Brent Rhebergen

Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): 1. 25- Shane Clanton; 2. H1- Jared Miley; 3. 1*- Chub Frank; 4. 99jr- Frank Heckenast Jr.; 5. 21JR- Billy Moyer Jr.; 6. 22- Greg Oakes; 7. 40- Dutch Davies; 8. 25K- Mike Knight

Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): 1. 1- Josh Richards; 2. C9- Steve Casebolt; 3. 44s- Dave Hess; 4. B22- Bump Hedman; 5. 22B- Darrell Bossard; 6. 33- Chris Hackett; 7. 19- Bob Dorman; 8. 11- Bobby Rohrer

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): 1. 2c- Joey Coulter; 2. 99B- Boom Briggs; 3. 18- Eric Wells; 4. 91- Tyler Erb; 5. 76- Brandon Overton; 6. 3- David Scott; 7. 9- Breyton Santee; 8. W3- John Weaver