October 23, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Kid Rocket Competes At DTWC
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards traveled to KC Raceway in
Chillicothe, OH this past weekend for the 26th Annual Dirt Track World
Championship. Kid Rocket was competing in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1
Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires,
Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Courtesy of Kevin Kovac of the WoO LMS:
Teenage sensation Josh Richards of Shinnston , W.Va. , appeared to be a serious
contender for the DTWC’s prestigious trophy, but mechanical trouble ended his
bid to become the first driver from the Mountaineer State to win the event.
Richards, 18, moved from the seventh starting spot to third place in 26 laps. He
then patiently chased Babb and Francis until suddenly retiring to the pit area
during a lap-69 caution period.
The three-eighths-mile track’s surface, which sported rough spots after being
deluged with rain during the week and through early Friday morning, took its
toll on Richards’s Rocket Chassis house car. First a header broke off the
machine, and then a damaged panhard bar produced a race-ending problem.
“I think the panhard bar just kept bending and bending,” said Richards, who
finished 17th, “and it finally bent so far it blew the driveshaft out down in
three and four.
“I feel like we had a real good car. I was kinda cruising for awhile. I was
starting to move around to see if we could find something to get by (Babb and
Francis) when that happened.”
Richards raced as a teammate to NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, who
drove a Rocket car fielded by Richards’s father Mark. Stewart was involved a
homestretch tangle while battling for a transfer spot late in his heat and
didn’t answer the call for the B-Main, opting to fly back to Martinsville , Va.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
October 9, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Kid Rocket Scores Top Finishes
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards spent the weekend in Ohio and
Pennsylvania where he scored top five finishes in two high-profile races. Kid
Rocket was competing in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches,
Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett
Engines Grand Prix.
Kid Rocket returned to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH for the United Midwestern
Promoters (UMP) Nationals on Saturday night at where he became fastest qualifier
over the 70-car field before he finished second in his heat race. During the
main event Kid Rocket finished second in the UMP Nationals after starting
seventh on the starting grid.
“We put in the same setup we had for the World,” said Kid Rocket. “The track was
a little too fast for it, but the car was still pretty good."
The following day Kid Rocket and team headed back to Pittsburgh’s PA Motor
Speedway to compete in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned
Pittsburgher 100 that was rained out after qualifying events were run on
September 22.
Kid Rocket reached third place on lap 61 and was able to challenge the leaders
following restarts on laps 63 and 72 but he couldn't quite overtake the two
veterans ahead of him.
"For a little bit I thought we were gonna get 'em, but they had the momentum,"
said Kid Rocket. "My car was a little tight on the throttle, so I had to hit it
just perfect to avoid shoving the right-front or breaking the right-rear loose.
"I moved around a little bit to where I felt comfortable, but once the front
cars get moving it's hard to go up there and pass them," "I would like to
personally thank Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works and MCB Motorsports
without their help we wouldn't be able to do this tour."
Up next for Kid Rocket team is The Dirt Track at Lowe’s Motor Speedway on
October 11 followed by the WoO LMS season-ending race at Volusia Raceway Park in
Florida October 13-14.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
September 11, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Kid Rocket Wows ‘Em At Eldora
By Kevin Kovac
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards headed back to Ohio this past
weekend competing in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace
Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett
Engines Grand Prix for his second WORLD 100 at Eldora Speedway.
Richards’s bid to win Saturday night’s 36th annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway
in just his second career start fell short, but his fourth-place performance
still made him the highest-finishing World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular
in the prestigious dirt Late Model event.
Richards, 18, had no qualms with his run in the show, which was sanctioned by
DIRT MotorSports’s United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) division. He enjoyed being
the evening’s leader of the WoO LMS brigade, which numbered eight drivers strong
in the feature.
“I’ll take fourth in the World 100 any day,” he proudly said following the race.
Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., emerged victorious in the thrilling
show, which observers immediately considered one of the most memorable in World
100 history. He started from the pole position, but didn’t take the lead until
lap 86 when he got the extreme inside line to work for him.
The final 25 laps saw Richards in the middle of a titanic battle at the front of
the pack that included Pearson, Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Jeep
VanWormer of Piconning, Mich. Several other drivers, including WoO LMS regulars
Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., and Clint Smith of Locust Grove, Ga., were
also in the mix.
Richards, who started 10th in his father Mark’s Rocket Chassis House Car,
climbed as high as second, on lap 79. But moments after Richards challenged Babb
for the lead, VanWormer passed both Richards and Babb with a high-side assault
to assume command.
Pearson then came on to pass Richards, Babb and VanWormer in succession and grab
the lead for good. He marched on to earn $39,000 for his first career World 100
triumph, taking the checkered flag several car lengths ahead of Babb.
VanWormer finished third, while Richards, who attempted to pass Babb for second
on lap 94 during the race’s frenetic final moments, settled for fourth place. It
was Richards’s best career World 100 finish, easily topping the 25th-place run
he had in his first start a year ago.
The sheer intensity of the World’s late stages amazed Richards, who realized he
was part of a special race.
“When we were all racing so hard for the lead, I was like, ‘Holy cow, I can’t
believe this is going on!’” offered Richards, the 2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the
Year. “I thought, Whoa! This is the World 100!
“With so much stuff happening you can easily get caught up in all it (the
excitement). You just try to pretend it’s like a video game and focus on what
you’re doing.”
As he accepted well-wishes while sitting on the door of his No. 1 outside his
team’s hauler following the 100, Richards summed up his night: “That’s the most
fun I’ve ever had racing.”
Of course, Richards felt he should’ve finished a bit higher.
“I had probably a second-place car, but there were some mistakes I made,” he
analyzed. “I thought the middle of the track was pretty good, but Earl showed me
the bottom when he went by. I should’ve moved down there earlier, but I didn’t
know my car was good down there.
“I learned a lot, though. Being in a race like that is great experience.”
Kid Rocket, who may have been the youngest highest-finishing driver in WORLD 100
history, also assisted Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart on Wednesday night for
The Prelude race with NASCAR drivers. Stewart drove a Rocket Chassis Late Model
owned by Josh & Mark Richards and took it to victory Wednesday evening. The
Richards’ then auctioned off a door panel from the car with proceeds going to
the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame and sold it for $600.
Up next for Kid Rocket is West Virginia Motor Speedway on September 15 & 16
before returning to World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition at
Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway in Imperial, Pa., on Sept. 22-23 for
the Pittsburgher 100.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
July 6, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Kid Rocket Has Busy Holiday Weekend
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards headed to the northeast this past
weekend for World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition in New York
competing in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal
Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket
Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
On Saturday at Stateline Speedway in New York where he finished sixth in
his heat race and came across the checkers with a 14th place Roberts Trucking 50
main event finish in WoO LMS competition.
On Sunday night in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Star Spangled 50
at Cayuga County Fair Speedway Kid Rocket scored a sixth in his heat race before
finishing ninth in the feature event.
On Monday evening with the WoO LMS off that night Kid Rocket traveled to
Muskingum County Speedway where he finished second in his heat race and ninth in
the feature.
Up next for the young driver will be a WoO LMS sanctioned event at Sharon
Speedway in Hartford, OH on Saturday July 8.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services**
June 23, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CNN Presents Features Kid Rocket In Dirt Track Warriors
Bear Lake, PA --- Before NASCAR, high-speed race car drivers raced on dirt – and
they still do. Dirt track automobile racing – an estimated billion dollar a year
business with 30 million fans – is “the biggest sport you’ve never heard of,”
according to the new documentary CNN Presents: Dirt Track Warriors, premiering
on Saturday, July 1, at 8 p.m., with a replay at 11 p.m. Dirt Track Warriors
re-airs on Sunday, July 2, at 2 a.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. All times Eastern. The
new documentary features Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards of Shinnston, WV who drives
the Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Dirt Track Warriors features exclusive access to the personal and professional
lives of the drivers of lightweight, high-horsepower racing machines called
“dirt late model” cars. The documentary follows racing’s teenager Josh “Kid
Rocket” Richards, Chub “Chubzilla” Frank and “bad boy” Scott Bloomquist through
a season of high-speed, dirt-throwing racing, climaxing with dirt late model’s
biggest prize, the World 100 at Eldora Speedway in rural Ohio.
For Dirt Track Warriors, senior producer Ted Rubenstein interviewed dirt track’s
“kings” throughout the 2005 racing season and offers viewers a look at the
grueling life on the dirt track circuit through heartland America, which
sometimes puts great strain on the personal lives of the drivers and their
families. With the eyes of the racing world on the World 100, viewers learn
whether 17-year-old phenom Josh “Kid Rocket” Richards will qualify for his first
World 100 competition; whether Scott Bloomquist, celebrating his 25th year in
dirt track racing will win his fourth championship at Eldora; or, whether
“Chubzilla” can repeat his 2004 first-place success.
CNN Presents: Dirt Track Warriors was produced by Ted Rubenstein, with field
producing by Emily Probst and Jamie Hutton. Mark Nelson is vice president and
senior executive producer of CNN Productions. CNN Presents is the most honored
documentary program in cable news.
For more information visit:
www.cnn.com/dirttrack For more information on Chub Frank visit:
www.joshrichards.com
June 19, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Competes in WoO LMS Duo Events
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards headed south this past weekend for
World of Outlaws Late Model Series competition in two states competing in his
Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
On Friday evening Kid Rocket traveled to the Western Kentucky Speedway for the
Western Kentucky 50. Kid Rocket finished sixth in his heat race and eighth in
the main event.
On Sunday Kid Rocket journeyed down to Georgia for the ‘Fathers Day 50’ at East
Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Alabama where he scored a fourth in his
heat race and an 11th place finish in the A Main.
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series will next compete Saturday, July 1 at
Stateline Speedway in Busti, New York in the $10,000 to win ‘Roberts Trucking
50’. The next night, Sunday, July 2, Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport,
New York host the Series in the SPEED covered $10,000 to win ‘Star Spangled 50’.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
June 2, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Races In The Northern States
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards spent the previous weekend
graduating high school before hitting the road with the World of Outlaws Late
Model Series for several races in the great northern states. On the World of
Outlaws Late Model Series Kid Rocket is competing this season in his Mark
Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports,
Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Up first was the ‘27th Featherlite Trailers Gopher 50’ at Deer Creek Speedway in
Spring Valley, MN on May 30 where Kid Rocket times in seventh fastest and a
fourth in his heat race. He then finished ninth in the main event after starting
in the 15th position.
The following night the ‘North Central 50’ was held at North Central Speedway in
Brainerd, MN. During time trials Kid Rocket turned in the sixth fastest lap
before finishing second in his heat and fifth in the dash. He then finished
eighth in the feature race.
The series then traveled to River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks,ND for the ‘The
7 Clans Casino 50’ on June 1 where Kid Rocket scored a fourth in his heat race
with a 13th place finishing spot in the main event.
Coming up next for Kid Rocket will be Eldora Speedway for THE DREAM race, an
unsanctioned event that pays the winner $100,000.
Kid Rocket fans are reminded that he will be one of the primary subjects of the
upcoming television documentary, Dirt Track Warriors, that will air on Saturday
July 1 at 8:00 PM and again at 2:00 AM. The program will re-air on Sunday July 2
at 11:00 PM and again at 2:00 AM. All times are eastern.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 28, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Sets NTR, Graduates High School
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards set fast time and a New Track
Record on Tuesday night at a track he competed at for the very first time. He
then spent the weekend graduating from high school. On the World of Outlaws Late
Model Series Kid Rocket is competing this season in his Mark Richards
Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier
Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Kid Rocket headed to the state of Missouri for a first time ever appearance at
Bolivar Speedway USA in Bolivar, Missouri for the $10,000 to win ‘Bank of
Bolivar 50’ at the high-banked 3/8ths mile clay oval.
Kid Rocket set fast time and a new track record over the 26-car field with a
time of 14.740. Kid Rocket finished second in his heat race and won the dash
race. The yellow lights would flash at lap 31 when the driveshaft on Kid
Rocket’s car broke sending the 2005 World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Rookie
of the Year’ pitside for repairs. He would return to the event many laps down.
This weekend with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series off Kid Rocket
participated in his high school graduation on May 26 at Lincoln High School. Kid
Rocket was the recipient of several prominent awards including the Top Scholar
Award in Construction, DCP, Perfect Honor Roll and National Honor Role.
On Sunday May 28 Kid Rocket will return to Eldora Speedway to compete in a
Sunoco American Late Model Series race at Tony Stewart’s mighty high banks in
western Ohio.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 22, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Does The ‘Shake Down’
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards spent this past weekend doing
something a little different since the World of Outlaws Late Model Series had
the weekend off. Kid Rocket traveled to Cumberland, MD where he competed in Bob
Salathe’s Rocket Chassis at The Rock, Allegany County Speedway to assist the
driver in ‘shaking down’ the racecar where Kid Rocket finished ninth.
On the World of Outlaws Late Model Series Kid Rocket is competing this season in
his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Up next for Kid Rocket and the World Of Outlaws Late Model Series will be to the
state of Missouri for a first time ever appearance at Bolivar Speedway USA in
Bolivar, Missouri. The $10,000 to win ‘Bank of Bolivar 50’ unfolds Tuesday, May
23 at the high-banked 3/8ths mile clay oval.
That weekend following the ‘Bank of Bolivar 50’ Kid Rocket will take most of the
weekend off as he prepares for his high school graduation that will take place
on May 26 at Lincoln High School.
On Sunday May 28 Kid Rocket will return to Eldora Speedway to compete in a
Sunoco American Late Model Series race at Tony Stewart’s mighty high banks in
western Ohio.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 15, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Gets One Race In
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards spent a soaked drenched weekend in
Illinois and Indiana this past weekend when both World of Outlaws Late Model
Series races were postponed due to inclement weather. Kid Rocket, however, was
able to make the long trek over to at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway on Saturday
evening to compete in their weekly program. Kid Rocket is competing this season
in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
At Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway on Saturday night Kid Rocket started seventh
in the main event and was able to work his way up to second place in the main
event before the final checkers waved over the field.
Up next for Kid Rocket and the World Of Outlaws Late Model Series will be to the
state of Missouri for a first time ever appearance at Bolivar Speedway USA in
Bolivar, Missouri. The $10,000 to win ‘Bank of Bolivar 50’ unfolds Tuesday, May
23 at the high-banked 3/8ths mile clay oval.
That weekend following the ‘Bank of Bolivar 50’ Kid Rocket will take most of the
weekend off as he prepares for his high school graduation that will take place
on May 26 at Lincoln High School.
On Sunday May 28 Kid Rocket will return to Eldora Speedway to compete in a
Sunoco American Late Model Series race at Tony Stewart’s mighty high banks in
western Ohio.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Spotlighted On CNN Documentary
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards will be appearing soon on
international television when CNN Presents airs a special documentary on dirt
Late Model racing that spotlights Kid Rocket, among others. This season Kid
Rocket is competing in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches,
Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett
Engines Grand Prix.
The one-hour documentary on dirt track racing that was filmed by CNN at various
racetracks last year will air in July. The documentary, Dirt Track Warriors,
will air on Saturday July 1 at 8:00 PM and again at 2:00 AM. The program will
re-air on Sunday July 2 at 11:00 PM and again at 2:00 AM. All times are eastern.
CNN producers and film crews visited several dirt tracks including Cedar Lake
Speedway in Wisconsin, Eldora Speedway and Wayne County Speedway, both in Ohio
in addition to visiting the shop and home of Josh Richards.
This weekend he will travel to the World Of Outlaws Late Model Series race
Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois Friday, May 12 for round 1 of the
‘Battle Of The Borders Weekend’ before the second $10,000 to win – 50 lap main
event making up the weekend unfolds Saturday, May 13 at Kamp Motor Speedway in
Boswell, Indiana.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 7, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Does The Buckeye Boogie
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards was back on the road with the World
of Outlaws Late Model Series this weekend with a double-header in the state of
Ohio as the series and Kid Rocket traveled to Brushcreek Motorsports Complex and
the Wayne County Speedway where he competed driving his Mark Richards
Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier
Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
At Brushcreek Kid Rocket qualified third quick in time trials and won the third
heat race but his fortunes in the main event suffered when mechanical trouble
forced him out of the race relegating him to 22nd after a fourth starting spot.
At Wayne County Speedway on Saturday Kid Rocket timed in 12th fastest out of the
47 car field and finished fifth in his race putting him in the B Main where we
won handily and then eventually wound up with an 18th place finish in the main
event.
Richards hopes his fortunes continue to improve as the season goes on. “It’s
been a little rough this year with our help situation but we’re trying to get
through,” explained Richards. “Like last night we got caught up in a wreck and
didn’t get to finish and we had an extremely good car. The next couple weeks we
hope to get straightened out and get going again.”
He is also looking forward to graduation day on May 26. “That’s the weekend of
the Show Me (100), I’ll have to miss the Show Me this year,” revealed Richards.
“I’m excited, I kind of woke up a little bit and it was like ‘Whoa’ because we
just got our cap and gowns last week and kind of realized I’m actually
graduating this year. It’s kind of scary but I’m excited, I get to go racing.”
He also acknowledged how cooperative his teachers and principle have been as the
honor roll student started his racing career the past couple years. “Yes, the
teachers have been extremely cooperative, same with the principle, he’s really
cool,” said Richards. “I gave him a t-shirt the other day and he’s been really
good about it. It’s helped me out a ton. I’ve had honor roll first semester.
English class is still pretty tough.”
“I’m not exactly sure what I want to do for college yet right now or which
college I want to go to back home. I want to get this racing thing going the
best I can. This is the perfect opportunity so hopefully I can make the best of
it.”
And that and keep on looking for, and finding, victory lane.
Which he will have another attempt at this weekend when the World Of Outlaws
Late Model Series travels to Farmer City Raceway in Farmer City, Illinois
Friday, May 12 for round 1 of the ‘Battle Of The Borders Weekend’ before the
second $10,000 to win – 50 lap main event making up the weekend unfolds
Saturday, May 13 at Kamp Motor Speedway in Boswell, Indiana.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
May 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Scores A Lernerville Thriller
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards traveled north to Lernerville
Speedway in Sarver, PA on Friday evening April 28 where he emerged
victorious in the Late Model main event. Kid Rocket scored his win at
Lernerville over famed veteran driver Lynn Geisler driving his Mark
Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand
Prix.
Kid Rocket’s feature win came after starting ninth in the field. By the
19th lap Kid Rocket had caught up to the leaders and then proceeded to
engage them in battle. A lap 25 caution necessitated a green-white-checker
finish with Kid Rocket taking the lead on the restart and held on to take
the win.
"I knew this was only 25 laps, so I had to get up on my heels,” commented
Kid Rocket in victory lane. “This is only my second win."
The following evening Kid Rocket journeyed to Hagerstown Speedway for the
25th Annual Stanley Schetrompf Memorial at Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland
where he finished second in his heat race and 10th in the main event.
Up next on the World of Outlaws Late Model Series tour is a pair of Ohio
dirt track racing venues will host the premiere dirt Late Model racing
series. Brushcreek Motorsports Complex in Pebbles, Ohio and Wayne County
Speedway in Orrville, Ohio welcome the stars and cars of the World of
Outlaws Late Model Series Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 respectively.
Both events offer $10,000 to the winner from the posted $45,000 purse.
Certainly having one of the most unique layouts in dirt track racing
Brushcreek Motorsports Complex features a high-banked 3/8ths mile clay
tri-oval described as ‘Wicked Fast’. The $10,000 to win ‘Barry’s
Chevrolet-Buick, Inc. 50’ will mark the second appearance by the World of
Outlaws Late Model Series to Brushcreek Motorsports Complex.
Following the Brushcreek Motorsports Complex event the World of Outlaws
Late Model Series travels to Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, Ohio for
the May 6 $10,000 to win ‘Buckeye Classic 50’. The national event marks
the first ever appearance of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series to the
semi-banked 3/8ths mile dirt oval. Besides the strong contingent of
national stars the World of Outlaws Late Model Series brings to Wayne
County Speedway a strong contingent of regional and independent dirt Late
Model stars are expected in addition to the strong field of Wayne County
Speedway regulars that will be defending their turf.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
Geisler Battles ’Kid Rocket’ As Well As His Own Rocket
Cranberry, PA (May 1, 2006) The Geisler Racing team and 2005 National Dirt
Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee, Lynn Geisler made their weekly trip to
Lernerville Speedway this past Friday for a regular ‘Fab Four’ weekly
event. Lynn started the feature event in the eighth spot but had quickly
advanced up to the second position by the fifth lap. Geisler used the next
ten laps to reel in race leader Alex Ferree. On lap sixteen Geisler had
caught Ferree going into the third turn. Geisler used the outside to go
3-wide with a lapped car and Ferree for the lead. The bold move worked as
Geisler came out of turn four with the lead. Ferree would hang right with
Geisler, as young Late Model sensation Josh Richards, would catch the two
leaders. After a caution on lap twenty, Geisler would hold off a strong
charge from Ferree to remain the race leader. ‘Kid Rocket’ made his move
on lap twenty-two getting by Alex Ferree for second. The following lap saw
Geisler and Richards side-by-side down the front stretch for the lead. The
two cars would come together and start to get out of shape. Ferree saw
this as an opening to overcome both cars for the lead. The three cars went
into turn one 3-wide with Geisler and Richards still glued together.
Geisler and Richards moved up the track and made contact with Alex Ferree
sending him over the hill in turns one and two to bring out the caution.
Lynn chose to restart the race on the outside with Richards on the bottom.
Richards would lead the following lap as another caution flag flew setting
up a two-lap dash to determine the night’s winner. Richards would then
choose the outside putting Geisler on the bottom. Richards would get a
great start and Matt Lux would follow Richards on the outside to take over
the second position. Lynn was able to get back by Lux for second as
Richards would go on to take his first career win at Lernerville. Lynn’s
second place run puts him in the top spot in the Budweiser Point Standings
at Lernerville Speedway.
The next night at Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway things got off to a rough
start as Lynn would blow the left rear tire and spin the car out in his
heat race. With the poor finish in the heat, Lynn would have to start the
feature dead last. The feature started off low for Geisler, as he just
couldn’t find a groove that his Rocket Chassis liked. Lynn looked to be
fighting the car during the whole 25-lap feature but was still able to get
his Cochran Automotive, Marshall Stamping, Rocket Chassis GTO up to the
tenth position when the checkered flag fell.
This week Geisler Racing is taking Friday off as the USAC Wingless Sprints
are at Lernerville Speedway, but will be in action on Saturday at
Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway.
Lynn Geisler and Geisler Racing would like to thank all of their sponsors
and supporters:
#1 Cochran GM MegaCenter, Hotsy, Marshall Stamping, Groff Tractor &
Equipment Inc., Tri-State Hose & Supply, Bolea Oil, Rocket Chassis, Easy
Care, American Race Tire, Lias Tire, Rhodes Performance, Afco Shocks,
Appleton Power Rack & Pinions, Barry Grant, BultlerBuilt Motorsports
Equipment, Calico Coatings, DirtTrackDigest.com, Dynatech, Frankland
Racing Supply, Kunzler Signs & Decals, Mechanix Wear, Scott Performance
Wire, Setrab Oil Coolers, Speed Bear Fasteners, Stewart Warner, Turbo Blue
Racing Fuel, Ultra Shield Race Products, and Wrisco Industries Inc.
For more information on Lynn Geisler and Geisler Racing visit:
www.LynnGeisler.com
Media Contact: Jason Shank -
www.dirttrackdigest.com
E-Mail:
jshank@dirttrackdigest.com
Jason Shank
Editor - Dirt Late Models
Dirt Track Digest
Cell 412-327-8905
Work 412-647-2106
shank@dirttrackdigest.com
April 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Virginia Weekend For Kid Rocket
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards made a return trip to Bill
Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, VA Saturday evening to race in
the ‘Rumble On The River 50’ presented by Thurston Spring Service, Inc.,
that was originally scheduled for April 8 before the race was pushed back
one week by rain. The race was captured before the SPEED cameras for a
July 16 broadcast. Kid Rocket competed in his Mark Richards Racing-owned
#1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing
Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Kid Rocket timed in 14th fastest among the 41-car contingent on hand for
the World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned event. The team
experienced trouble in the heat race and finished tenth followed by a
fifth place finish in the B Main which forced the team to take a
provisional start in the main event where Kid Rocket finished 12th after
starting 24th.
Kid Rocket is currently ninth in World of Outlaws Late Model Series
points, a mere 82 points in arrears of first place.
Kid Rocket and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will travel Tuesday,
April 18 to Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Penn. for the April 7 rain
postponed $10,000 to win ‘Spring Showdown In Sarver Town 50’. For more
information phone 724-353-1511 (office), 724-353-1350 (track) or visit the
Lernerville Speedway website located at
www.lernerville.com
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
March 29, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Hits The Road This Weekend
By Jarrod Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards, after celebrating his 18th
birthday on March 22, will be back in action this weekend with a
three-night multi-state excursion to Lernerville Speedway, Allegany County
Speedway (The Rock) and Challenger Raceway. Kid Rocket will compete in his
Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand
Prix.
With the World of Outlaws Late Model Series off this weekend Kid Rocket
will attend Lernerville Speedway for their season opener for their weekly
season on Friday evening. This will also give him a chance to get track
time on the famed Sarver, PA oval prior to the WoO LMS event that will be
held April 7.
On Saturday evening Kid Rocket will then travel to The Rock/Allegany
County Speedway in Cumberland, MD for the season opening MACS sanctioned
50-lap, $5,000 to win main event.
On Sunday Kid Rocket and the team will then head back to Pennsylvania for
the annual ‘SpringFest’ dirt Late Model special at Challenger Raceway in
Indiana, PA. The unsanctioned race will pay $5,000 to win for the 40-lap
main event.
The following weekend Kid Rocket will be back on the road with the World
of Outlaws Late Model Series who will be at Lernerville Speedway in
Sarver, Pa., on April 7, followed by a trip the next day to Bill Sawyer’s
Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, Va. Who will host the stars and cars of
the World of Outlaws Late Model Series April 8. The cameras of SPEED will
capture all the action at the immaculate facility for broadcast at a later
date.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
March 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Races In Bayou Country
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards was once again back on the road
this past weekend as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series sanctioned event
on Friday at ‘The Bayou Battle’ presented by RaceCoaches.com and O’Reilly Auto
Parts at Baton Rouge Raceway in Baker (Baton Rouge), Louisiana was held where
he competed in his Mark Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace
Metal Works, MCB Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett
Engines Grand Prix.
Starting the night off Kid Rocket timed in seventh fastest during time trials
and then scored a solid third in his heat race. During the main event Kid
Rockets started 11th where he finished on a locked down track.
On Saturday night the Bayou Battle presented by RaceCoaches.com and O’Reilly
Auto Parts, after inclement weather Saturday morning forced the event at Fast
Trax Motorplex in Chatham, La., to be canceled. The $45,000 event may be
rescheduled for a later date this season.
Next up for Kid Rocket will be the Sunoco America Late Model Series race on
Saturday March 25 at Eldora Speedway’s season opener. Following the Eldora
opener Kid Rocket will be back on the road with the World of Outlaws Late
Model Series who will be at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on April 7,
followed by a trip the next day to Bill Sawyer’s Virginia Motor Speedway in
Saluda, Va. Who will host the stars and cars of the World of Outlaws Late
Model Series April 8. The cameras of SPEED will capture all the action at the
immaculate facility for broadcast at a later date.
Kid Rocket will spend March 22 celebrating his 18th birthday.
For more information on Kid Rocket visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
March 1, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket: Busy Month of March Planned
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards came out of Georgia and Florida
with a top ten point placement despite a somewhat disappointing ‘Speedweeks’
with the World of Outlaw Late Model Series (WoO LMS) but is now poised for
more WoO LMS action in addition to making a national radio show appearance as
well as celebrating his 18th birthday. Kid Rocket competes in the Mark
Richards Racing-owned #1 Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, MCB
Motorsports, Hoosier Racing Tires, Rocket Chassis, Cornett Engines Grand Prix.
Richards of Shinnston, WV, the ‘2005 WoO LMS Rookie of the Year’, has driven
the Seubert Calf Ranches/ ACE Metal Works No. 1 Mark Richards Racing Rocket
Chassis/Cornett Racing Engines Pontiac GTO to a ninth place finish at Golden
Isles Speedway and to disappointing twenty-fourth and twenty-second place
finishes at Volusia Speedway Park.
Kid Rocket currently sits tenth in WoO LMS points but only 76 points out of
first place.
On Monday evening March 6 Kid Rocket will appear on the national radio program
Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil. The show airs from 8:00 – 10:00 PM EST on
WLRT 1490 THE OUTLAW and can be accessed over the internet at:
www.racetalklive.com
Kid Rocket’s father, Mark Richards, will also make a radio appearance when he
appears in the Dirt Racers Radio program on Sunday March 5. The show airs over
WQKT 104.5 FM and over the internet at:
www.wqkt.com
After opening the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season this past
month the quest for the Championship continues Friday, March 17 with Round 1
of ‘The Bayou Battle 50’ at Baton Rouge Raceway in Baker (Baton Rouge),
Louisiana followed by Round 2 of ‘The Bayou Battle’ scheduled for Saturday,
March 18 at Fast Trax Motorplex in Chatham (Monroe), Louisiana.
Both of the $10,000 to win events boast $45,000 purses and mark the inaugural
appearances of the WoO Late Model Series to the state of Louisiana. The events
will be a match up of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series versus the SUPR
(Southern United Professional Racing) Late Model Series.
Fans of Kid Rocket can experience the excitement of all World Of Outlaws Late
Model Series events live on Dirtvision.com through the DIRT Radio Network
broadcasts. And, video cybercast of selected World of Outlaws Late Model
Series events will be broadcast through DIRTvision.com.
On March 22 Kid Rocket will celebrate his 18th birthday.
For more information on Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services
January 17, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kid Rocket Competes In His Inaugural Chili Bowl
By Doc Lehman
Shinnston, WV --- Even though the dirt Late Model driver who won the 20th
Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals wasn’t Josh Richards the 17-year-old high
school senior and World of Outlaws Late Model Series Rookie of the Year had a
Chili Bowl experience to remember. Attending and competing in not only his
first Chili Bowl race but his first race ever in a Midget, the young man from
Shinnston, WV, known as ‘Kid Rocket’, made the racing world stand up and take
notice with strong performances all week as a member of the John Godfrey led
Venture Racing Team. Kid Rocket competed in the week-long activities as a
teammate to Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler, Sammy Swindell and Kevin Swindell.
Kid Rocket competed in his first Chili Bowl driving a Spike Chassis equipped
with a Gary Stanton Mopar Racing Engines sponsored by Seubert Calf Ranches of
Dorchester, WI, Ace Metal Works of Enterprise, WV, Complete Flooring of
Laplata, MD, Well Picked Berries of Watsonville, CA and Stanton Racing
Engines/ Mopar.
“It was like any other race we go to, there is so much competition,” commented
Kid Rocket. “It’s almost like a World 100 with so much competition but there
are so many different drivers. It was a lot of fun. The racing went well. From
the first heat race until the last race I think we improved. Those things are
a lot of fun. But they’re easy to overdrive. But they’re fun.”
Kid Rocket was accompanied during the week by his father, Mark Richards, and
Mike Farr.
During the week Kid Rocket scored a second place finish in his heat race and a
third in the A Main Qualifier and a 11th place finish in the A Main. On
Saturday he finished seventh in the second B Main, one spot out of
transferring into the 20th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Kid Rocket was quick to acknowledge Venture Racing and Spike Chassis’ John
Godfrey for the opportunity to compete in his first Midget race and Chili
Bowl. “Mr. Godfrey was just great to us and it was a great experience,” stated
Kid Rocket. “The crew knew what they were doing and anytime there was
something wrong they got the car fixed. The equipment was all good and they
really helped me for my first time out there. Our crew chief, Rusty Kuntz, he
was just a real professional and real helpful.”
Kid Rocket did so well he was extended an invitation. “Mr. Godfrey asked if we
wanted to come back next year and we said we’d like to do it. I’m ready for it
now (laughs)!”
Kid Rocket also was adamant about pointing out the tremendous support he
received from his sponsors for the Chili Bowl that included Seubert Calf
Ranches, Ace Metal Works, Complete Flooring, Well Picked Berries of California
and Stanton Racing Engines/ Mopar. “They made this possible,” said Kid Rocket.
“They are why I got to race in my first Chili Bowl and I can’t thank them
enough. I’ve been lucky to have good sponsors in my Late Model too. Like with
Mike Seubert, without him I don’t know what I’d be doing. If we ever need
anything we just tell him and he helps us out. He’s been a great help.”
While Kid Rocket got to meet such famous icons like Johnny Rutherford and be
interviewed by Robin Miller, he also learned a great deal from a number of
drivers like Tony Stewart, Jason Lefler and Danny Lasoski in addition to
fellow Late Model drivers Rick Eckert, Bart Hartman and Chili Bowl winner Tim
McCreadie. “McCreadie, Eckert, Hartman, they all gave me advice and Danny
Lasoski helped me out a lot.”
As for Kid Rocket’s highlight of the week, he was somewhat perplexed in trying
to determine the week’s topper. “I guess all of it, everything happened so
fast. And hey, congratulations to Tim (McCreadie). He did a great job out
there and I’m really grateful for all the help he gave me out there.”
Up next for Kid Rocket will be the Rocket Chassis Chassis School on January
27-29 followed by his season kick off in dirt Late Models on February 3-4 at
Golden Isles Speedway in Waynesville, GA for two shows sanctioned by the Lucas
Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series,
respectively.
“I’ve been ready to get back into those since I got out of it (laughs)!”
chuckled Kid Rocket. “The off-season has gone fast but we’ve got our equipment
ready to go.”
For more on Josh ‘Kid Rocket’ Richards visit:
www.joshrichards.com
-Prepared by Lehman Motorsports Services