Josh Richards Rides To Win At Lucas Oil Speedway Friday Evening From Sixth
Story By: LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES – WHEATLAND, MO – Josh Richards came from the sixth starting spot to dominate Friday Night’s Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson at Lucas Oil Speedway.
Richards took the lead on lap six and went on for his second Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season and the 33rd of his career. The race was co-sanctioned with the Lucas Oil Midwest Latemodel Racing Association.
Several cautions closed gap between Richards and the field behind him, but each time Richards pulled away. He ultimately went unchallenged for the victory. Shane Clanton started alongside Richards in row number three and finished second to the West Virginia native.
Chris Ferguson failed to turn a lap in time trials but recovered nicely from a rough start to finish third after starting in 23rd. Brandon Sheppard made a late-race charge for fourth and Kyle Bronson rounded out the top five.
Brian Shirley led the first five laps until Richards passed him for the top spot. While Richards was pulling away, an entertaining battle for second was going on between Shirley and Scott Bloomquist. As Shirley and Bloomquist were racing hard for second Clanton was able to slip by both of them by the 27th circuit, right before a caution flag came out for Hudson O’Neal and Chase Junghans.
Sheppard made a daring move on the restart to climb to third place. Coming from inside of row 12, Ferguson was able to get by several drivers in the late going as he crossed the finish line in third.
“This team deserves to be up front,” said the 2017 LOLMDS [Richards] Champion in Lucas Oil Victory Lane. “We feel like we have been off the last couple of years from where I really want to be. I feel like if we can get some momentum, we can build on this. I was a little concerned with those late yellows, I feel like the right rear tire kind of greased-up a little on that long run. I was a little conservative on the corner entry, but after a couple of laps I could widen out my line.”
Clanton claimed second at the checkers. “I really needed the longer runs more than I needed those cautions. Those cautions at the end really hurt me. Overall, it was a good night, and it should put us in a good-starting spot tomorrow night.”
Ferguson ended his night on a high note after a tough start to begin the evening. “We changed rear ends after practice. We didn’t get to qualify so we had to battle all night. We had a good hot-rod tonight. We just needed a couple of more laps.”
The winner’s Clint Bowyer Racing Rocket Chassis is powered by a Cornett Racing Engine and is sponsored by iRacing, Rush Truck Centers, Big River Steel, Integra Shocks, Sunoco Race Fuels, Ford Performance, and Cometic Gasket.
Completing the top ten were Scott Bloomquist, Tim McCreadie, Brian Shirley, Jimmy Owens, and Earl Pearson Jr.
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Race Summary
Tribute to Don and Billie Gibson
Friday, May 28th, 2021
Lucas Oil Speedway – Wheatland, MO
Allstar Performance Time Trials
Fast Time Group A: Ricky Thornton Jr. / 14.931 seconds (overall)
Fast Time Group B: Scott Bloomquist / 15.371 seconds
Penske Race Shocks Heat Race #1 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 3S-Brian Shirley[5]; 2. 18J-Chase Junghans[2]; 3. 20RT-Ricky Thornton Jr[1]; 4. 157-Mike Marlar[6]; 5. 1T-Tyler Erb[4]; 6. 15D-Justin Duty[7]; 7. 15L-Payton Looney[3]; 8. 99L-Scott Lewis[9]; 9. 7JR-Ryan Johnson[8]
Summit Racing Equipment Heat Race #2 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 40B-Kyle Bronson[2]; 2. 18-Shannon Babb[1]; 3. 2S-Stormy Scott[4]; 4. 0E-Rick Eckert[5]; 5. 93-Mason Oberkramer[3]; 6. 94-Austin Rettig[6]; 7. 50-Kaeden Cornell[8]; 8. 43-Jeremy Grady[7]; 9. (DNS) 7J-Jay Fields; 10. (DNS) 11G-Gordy Gundaker
Simpson Race Products Heat Race #3 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 25-Shane Clanton[1]; 2. 56JR-Tony Jackson Jr[4]; 3. 66C-Matt Cosner[2]; 4. 59-Garrett Alberson[3]; 5. 22F-Chris Ferguson[10]; 6. 41-Jeremiah Hurst[5]; 7. 22H-Daniel Hilsabeck[6]; 8. 14M-Reid Millard[7]; 9. L88-Larry Clawson[8]; 10. (DNS) 23-Cody Holtkamp
Ohlins Shocks Heat Race #4 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 0-Scott Bloomquist[1]; 2. 39-Tim McCreadie[3]; 3. 25S-Chad Simpson[2]; 4. 49-Jonathan Davenport[5]; 5. 49T-Jake Timm[6]; 6. 12C-Scott Crigler[9]; 7. 15V-Kolby Vandenbergh[4]; 8. 11R-Justin Reed[7]; 9. (DNS) 7W-Cole Wells; 10. (DNS) 00S-Jesse Stovall
Fast Shafts Heat Race #5 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 19R-Ryan Gustin[1]; 2. B5-Brandon Sheppard[2]; 3. 36-Logan Martin[4]; 4. 21-Billy Moyer Jr[3]; 5. 71-Hudson O’Neal[5]; 6. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[6]; 7. 55-Chris Kratzer[7]; 8. 1X-Aaron Marrant[8]; 9. 44W-David Webster[9]; 10. (DNS) 6H-Al Humphrey
Lucas Oil Heat Race #6 Finish (8 Laps, Top 3 Transfer): 1. 14-Josh Richards[1]; 2. 20-Jimmy Owens[4]; 3. 1-Earl Pearson Jr[3]; 4. 32-Bobby Pierce[2]; 5. 91P-Jason Papich[7]; 6. 32S-Chris Simpson[6]; 7. 4G-Bob Gardner[5]; 8. 78S-Steve Stultz[9]; 9. 3W-Brennon Willard[8]
LINE-X B-Main #1 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 157-Mike Marlar[1]; 2. 0E-Rick Eckert[2]; 3. 93-Mason Oberkramer[4]; 4. 1T-Tyler Erb[3]; 5. 94-Austin Rettig[6]; 6. 50-Kaeden Cornell[8]; 7. 99L-Scott Lewis[9]; 8. 43-Jeremy Grady[10]; 9. 7J-Jay Fields[12]; 10. (DNS) 15D-Justin Duty; 11. (DNS) 15L-Payton Looney; 12. (DNS) 7JR-Ryan Johnson; 13. (DNS) 11G-Gordy Gundaker
UNOH B-Main #2 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 59-Garrett Alberson[1]; 2. 22F-Chris Ferguson[3]; 3. 49-Jonathan Davenport[2]; 4. 41-Jeremiah Hurst[5]; 5. 22H-Daniel Hilsabeck[7]; 6. 12C-Scott Crigler[6]; 7. 49T-Jake Timm[4]; 8. 15V-Kolby Vandenbergh[8]; 9. 11R-Justin Reed[10]; 10. 14M-Reid Millard[9]; 11. L88-Larry Clawson[11]; 12. (DNS) 7W-Cole Wells; 13. (DNS) 23-Cody Holtkamp; 14. (DNS) 00S-Jesse Stovall
MyRacePass B-Main #3 Finish (10 Laps, Top 2 Transfer): 1. 21-Billy Moyer Jr[1]; 2. 71-Hudson O’Neal[3]; 3. 32-Bobby Pierce[2]; 4. 91P-Jason Papich[4]; 5. 99JR-Frank Heckenast Jr[5]; 6. 4G-Bob Gardner[8]; 7. 32S-Chris Simpson[6]; 8. 55-Chris Kratzer[7]; 9. 3W-Brennon Willard[12]; 10. 78S-Steve Stultz[10]; 11. 44W-David Webster[11]; 12. 1X-Aaron Marrant[9]; 13. (DNS) 6H-Al Humphrey
Lucas Oil Feature Finish (40 Laps):
| Pos | Start | Car # | Competitor | Hometown | Pay |
| 1 | 6 | 14 | Josh Richards | Shinnston, WV | $6,000.00 |
| 2 | 5 | 25 | Shane Clanton | Zebulon, GA | $3,000.00 |
| 3 | 23 | 22F | Chris Ferguson | Mt. Holly, NC | $2,000.00 |
| 4 | 10 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard | New Berlin, IL | $1,500.00 |
| 5 | 3 | 40B | Kyle Bronson | Brandon, FL | $1,250.00 |
| 6 | 2 | 0 | Scott Bloomquist | Mooresburg, TN | $1,000.00 |
| 7 | 8 | 39 | Tim McCreadie | Watertown, NY | $950.00 |
| 8 | 1 | 3S | Brian Shirley | Chatham, IL | $900.00 |
| 9 | 12 | 20 | Jimmy Owens | Newport, TN | $850.00 |
| 10 | 18 | 1 | Earl Pearson Jr | Jacksonville, FL | $800.00 |
| 11 | 19 | 157 | Mike Marlar | Winfield, TN | $700.00 |
| 12 | 20 | 59 | Garrett Alberson | Shreveport, LA | $600.00 |
| 13 | 13 | 20RT | Ricky Thornton Jr. | Adel, IA | $600.00 |
| 14 | 24 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal | Martinsville, IN | $600.00 |
| 15 | 16 | 36 | Logan Martin | West Plains, MO | $600.00 |
| 16 | 14 | 25S | Chad Simpson | Mt. Vernon, IA | $600.00 |
| 17 | 9 | 18 | Shannon Babb | Moweaqua, IL | $600.00 |
| 18 | 22 | 0E | Rick Eckert | York, PA | $600.00 |
| 19 | 15 | 2S | Stormy Scott | Las Cruces, NM | $600.00 |
| 20 | 17 | 66C | Matt Cosner | Ridgeley, WV | $600.00 |
| 21 | 21 | 21 | Billy Moyer Jr | Batesville, AR | $600.00 |
| 22 | 11 | 56JR | Tony Jackson Jr | Lebanon, MO | $600.00 |
| 23 | 7 | 18J | Chase Junghans | Manhattan, KS | $600.00 |
| 24 | 4 | 19R | Ryan Gustin | Marshalltown, IA | $600.00 |
Race Statistics
Entrants: 58
Lap Leaders: Brian Shirley (Laps 1 – 5); Josh Richards (Laps 6 – 40)
Wrisco Feature Winner: Josh Richards
Arizona Sport Shirts CJC – Presented by DirtOnDirt Feature Winner: n/a
Brandon Ford TV Challenge Feature Winner: Josh Richards
Margin of Victory:
Stop Tech Brakes Cautions: Ryan Gustin (Lap 20); Hudson O’Neal, Chase Junghans (Lap 27); Rick Eckert (Lap 35)
Series Provisionals: n/a
Fast Time Provisional: n/a
Series Emergency Provisionals: n/a
Track Provisionals: n/a
Big River Steel Podium Top 3: Josh Richards, Shane Clanton, Chris Ferguson
Penske Shocks Top 5: Josh Richards, Shane Clanton, Chris Ferguson, Brandon Sheppard, Kyle Bronson
Optima Batteries Hard Charger of the Race: Chris Ferguson (Advanced 20 Positions)
Midwest Sheet Metal Spoiler Challenge Point Leader: Tim McCreadie
Hot Rod Processing Most Laps Led: Josh Richards (35 Laps)
Sunoco Race for Gas Highest Finisher: Josh Richards
Eibach Springs Rookie of the Race: Ricky Thornton, Jr.
Dirty Girl Racewear Fastest Lap of the Race: Josh Richards (Lap 21 – 16.690 seconds)
Fast Shafts Tough Break of the Race: Chase Junghans
Outerwears Crew Chief of the Race: Brian Leonberg (Josh Richards)
ARP Engine Builder of the Race: Cornett Racing Engines
Miller Welders Chassis Builder of the Race: Rocket Chassis
Dirt Draft Fastest in Hot Laps: Brian Shirley (14.690 seconds)
Time of Race: 26 minutes 16 seconds
LINE-X B-Main #1 Saturday Line Up (15 Laps, Top 2 Transfer):
| Row | Inside | Outside | ||
| 1 | 56JR | Tony Jackson Jr – Lebanon, MO | 49 | Jonathan Davenport – Blairsville, GA |
| 2 | 25S | Chad Simpson – Mt. Vernon, IA | 1T | Tyler Erb – New Waverly, TX |
| 3 | 18J | Chase Junghans – Manhattan, KS | 91P | Jason Papich – Nipomo, CA |
| 4 | 94 | Austin Rettig – Sikeston, MO | 99L | Scott Lewis – Henderson, CO |
| 5 | 3w | Brennon Willard – Lebanon, MO | 55 | Chris Kratzer – Wichita, KS |
| 6 | 14M | Reid Millard – Jefferson City, MO | 44W | David Webster – Monroe, WI |
| 7 | 11G | Gordy Gundaker – St. Charles, MO | 7JR | Ryan Johnson – Aurora, MO |
UNOH B-Main #2 Saturday Line Up (15 Laps, Top 2 Transfer):
| Row | Inside | Outside | ||
| 1 | 59 | Garrett Alberson – Shreveport, LA | 0E | Rick Eckert – York, PA |
| 2 | 21 | Billy Moyer Jr – Batesville, AR | 66C | Matt Cosner – Ridgeley, WV |
| 3 | 41 | Jeremiah Hurst – Dubuque, IA | 15V | Kolby Vandenbergh – Ashland, IL |
| 4 | 22H | Daniel Hilsabeck – Earlham, IA | 43 | Jeremy Grady – Story City, IA |
| 5 | 78S | Steve Stultz – Peoria, AZ | 7J | Jay Fields – Colorado Springs, CO |
| 6 | L88 | Larry Clawson – Kansas City, MO | 7W | Cole Wells – Aurora, MO |
| 7 | 23 | Cody Holtkamp – Holts Summit, MO | ||
MyRacePass B-Main #3 Saturday Line Up (15 Laps, Top 2 Transfer):
| Row | Inside | Outside | ||
| 1 | 12C | Scott Crigler – Alton, MO | 36 | Logan Martin – West Plains, MO |
| 2 | 93 | Mason Oberkramer – Broseley, MO | 49T | Jake Timm – Winona, MN |
| 3 | 50 | Kaeden Cornell – Willard, MO | 4G | Bob Gardner – Washington, IL |
| 4 | 32S | Chris Simpson – Oxford, IA | 11R | Justin Reed – Camp Point, IL |
| 5 | 00S | Jesse Stovall – Billings, MO | 1X | Aaron Marrant – Richmond, MO |
| 6 | 15D | Justin Duty – Happy Valley, OR | 6H | Al Humphrey – Giltner, NE |
| 7 | 15L | Payton Looney – Republic, MO | ||
Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Saturday Feature Line Up (100 Laps):
| Row | Inside | Outside | ||
| 1 | 14 | Josh Richards – Shinnston, WV | 39 | Tim McCreadie – Watertown, NY |
| 2 | B5 | Brandon Sheppard – New Berlin, IL | 25 | Shane Clanton – Zebulon, GA |
| 3 | 71 | Hudson O’Neal – Martinsville, IN | 0 | Scott Bloomquist – Mooresburg, TN |
| 4 | 20 | Jimmy Owens – Newport, TN | 22F | Chris Ferguson – Mt. Holly, NC |
| 5 | 20RT | Ricky Thornton Jr. – Adel, IA | 32 | Bobby Pierce – Oakwood, IL |
| 6 | 40B | Kyle Bronson – Brandon, FL | 19R | Ryan Gustin – Marshalltown, IA |
| 7 | 2S | Stormy Scott – Las Cruces, NM | 3S | Brian Shirley – Chatham, IL |
| 8 | 157 | Mike Marlar – Winfield, TN | 99JR | Frank Heckenast Jr – Frankfort, IL |
| 9 | 1 | Earl Pearson Jr – Jacksonville, FL | 18B | Shannon Babb – Moweaqua, IL |
