Josh Richards Makes Head-Turning DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Debut

joshrichards.com

May 06, 2008

SHINNSTON – Josh Richards proved his adaptive abilities when he made a head-turning DIRTcar big-block Modified debut at Virginia Motor Speedway.

The 20-year-old dirt Late Model star known as ‘Kid Rocket’ finished only 19th in the 60-lap Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Paul Sawyer Memorial’ event, but his qualifying effort and early performance in the feature showed how quickly he was able to make the transition to the open-wheel machine.

Josh’s special appearance behind the wheel of DIRTcar big-block Modified legend Brett Hearn’s backup Madsen Motorsports No. 20 highlighted a busy stretch of racing for the Shinnston, W.Va., product. He also drove the Ernie Davis-owned Rocket No. 25 dirt Late Model to a fifth-place finish in the division’s 40-lap companion event on May 1 at VMS, then battled some missteps and bad breaks in weekend World of Outlaws Late Model Series events to finish 13th on Saturday night (May 3) at Missouri’s Lebanon I-44 Speedway and 20th on Sunday night (May 4) at Monett (Mo.) Speedway steering his familiar Mark Richards Racing Rocket No. 1.

The big-block Modified ride was what Josh will always remember about his on-track action last week. He recorded the fourth-fastest lap among 48 entries in time trials, finished second to Hearn in a heat race and led the feature’s first eight laps from the pole position before his evening went downhill.

Shortly after losing the lead, Josh made unintentional contact with New Yorker Dale Planck, causing Planck to spin and sending Josh to the rear of the field for the restart. Josh continued for a short time before his involvement in a couple multi-car scrapes prompted him to retire from further competition.

“Driving the Modified was a lot of fun,” said Josh, who thanked Hearn for providing him a ride. “I had the track record for awhile (in time trials) and led a few laps of the feature, but the car was just too free and I let a couple cars pass me. Then by accident my foot slipped off the brake pedal going into turn one and I ran right in the back of the 77 (Planck), which I feel real bad about.”

Josh noted that the big-block Modified had a distinctly different feel from the dirt Late Models he regularly campaigns, especially in terms of motor responsiveness.

“It felt like I was in a Top-Fuel dragster when I got back in the Late Model,” said Josh. “The Modified didn’t respond as fast as a Late Model, but it was real racy to drive. It seems like you have more time to think about everything in the Modified, which is probably why the racing is so good.”

Josh’s biggest problem with the Modified? Getting comfortable sitting in a more upright position in the seat than he does in his dirt Late Model.

After flying to St. Louis, Mo., on Saturday morning to meet up with his dirt Late Model team, Josh experienced his worst night of WoO LMS racing this season on Saturday at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. He recorded the night’s fifth-fastest lap in time trials, but a slap of the homestretch wall early in his heat forced him to the pits with his thoroughly-damaged Seubert Calf Ranches/Ace Metal Works/TSR-Tony Stewart Racing/Petroff Towing/MCB Motorsports/Ernie’s Auto & Hauling No. 1.