Richards Goes Back-To-Back At Golden Isles; Wins Second Race Of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Season

Story By: JAMES ESSEX / LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – BRUNSWICK, GA – Defending Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion, Josh Richards overcame several obstacles to win Saturday night’s RhinoAg Super Bowl of Racing – presented by General Tire final at Golden Isles Speedway.

Richards had to resort to a back-up car, after issues arose with his main car during an earlier heat race. Richards then had the power steering fail on the back-up car as he tried to start the B-Main. The Best Performance Motorsports team ten fixed the issue, barely making the call to start the 60-lap main event, as Richards was the final car to enter the race track.

Richards had to take a series provisional and was scheduled to start 23rd on the grid, but due to his lateness while the crew worked on his car, he was relegated to the 26th and final starting position. Richards charged through the field and despite a lap 46 pass from Tyler Erb, went on to record his second win in-a-row to start the 2018 LOLMDS season.

In Lucas Oil Victory Lane for the 24th time in his career, the 2017 National Champion used the same car he won the Dirt Track World Championship with last year to race in tonight’s main event. “It was close,” said Richards elaborating on the fact he nearly missed the start of the race. “No one sees what goes on behind the scenes, but this really is a team sport. I can’t thank everyone enough. This is the same car we ran at Portsmouth in October last year. We had to get it out in a hurry. I broke a power steering line out there when I was just testing it. Good thing I went out there or we would have never known.”

“Danny and all the guys from my dad’s crew chipped in to get it ready. We just threw some stuff on it and then rolled it out on the track. I didn’t expect to come out with a win. We were just hoping to finish the race. We were going along pretty good and we were passing a lot of cars. I got out in front and then I started to ride it out. When he [Tyler Erb] got by me, I picked it up and was fortunate to get back around him. We were able to pull away from him and finish it off.”

Kyle Bronson, in his Brandon Ford, Longhorn by Weaver, came home in second for his best career LOLMDS finish as he fought past Tyler Erb for the runner-up position. Dennis Erb Jr. came from eleventh to finish fourth, and Brandon Sheppard completed the top five.

Afterwards, Bronson was pleased with his crew, and he dedicated his run to his late friend Bo Hammond, who passed away last week. “Bo was a mentor of mine. He taught me a lot about these cars. I wanted to win this one for him tonight, but we will take second place. We were a bit snug at the start of the race. The car started to really come around. I want to thank Randy Weaver for his help. We had some trouble with lapped cars for a while out there. It’s a solid finish for us. Thanks to all the fans that came out tonight.”

Tyler Erb’s First Class Septic, Rocket Chassis led laps 6 through 23 before relinquishing the lead to Richards. Erb fought back and momentarily took the lead on lap 46 before Richards passed him once again. “The car was really good early on. We led a lot of laps. We started to gain back on him [Richards] and I was able to get by him, but it only lasted one lap. I really thought we had the car to win the race.”

Richards’ winning car is owned by Eric and Kelly Brock, and is sponsored by Best Performance Motorsports, Bulk Material Lift.com, Bazell Race Fuels, Keyser, Hoosier, Boxo USA, Sunoco, Integra, Valvoline, Alexander Lawn and Landscaping, and Impact Race Gear. The Rocket Chassis #1 is powered by a Durham Racing Engine.

Completing the top ten were Brent Larson, Bobby Pierce, Darrell Lanigan, Boom Briggs, and Jonathan Davenport.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Saturday, February 3, 2018
RhinoAg Super Bowl of Racing – Presented by General Tire
Golden Isles Speedway – Waynesville, GA

Miller Welders Fast Time Group A: Brent Larson / 15.319 seconds
Miller Welders Fast Time Group B: Jonathan Davenport / 15.168 seconds

Eibach Springs Heat Race #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Mason Zeigler, Brent Larson, Brandon Overton, Tim McCreadie, Gregg Satterlee, Steven Roberts, Jonathan Rowan, Carder Miller, Darrell Lanigan, Jimmy Owens, Shane Tankersley

FK Rod Ends Heat Race #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Tyler Erb, Mike Benedum, Dennis Erb, Jr., Boom Briggs, Brian Connor, Billy Moyer, Jr., Donald McIntosh, Jeff Mathews, Blake Spencer, Casey Roberts

Simpson Performance Products Heat Race #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Jonathan Davenport, Bobby Pierce, Timothy Culp, Morgan Bagley, Shanon Buckingham, Coleby Frye, Josh Richards, Chase Junghans, Hudson O’Neal, Shane Clanton

QA1 Heat Race #4 Finish (10 Laps, Top 4 Transfer): Kyle Bronson, Scott Bloomquist, Brandon Sheppard, Jason Fitzgerald, Allen Murray, Don O’Neal, Earl Pearson, Jr., Brian Shirley, Ryan King, Jason Jameson

Penske Racing Shocks B-Main #1 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Gregg Satterlee, Brian Connor, Billy Moyer, Jr., Darrell Lanigan, Jonathan Rowan, Donald McIntosh, Carder Miller, Steven Roberts, Blake Spencer

Fast Shafts B-Main #2 Finish (12 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): Don O’Neal, Shanon Buckingham, Coleby Frye, Brian Shirley, Earl Pearson, Jr., Chase Junghans, Jason Jameson, Hudson O’Neal, Allen Murray, Ryan King

Feature Finish (60 Laps):