Returning Two-Time Champion Records 40th Career Win On World of Outlaws Late Model Series
By Kevin Kovac, WoO LMS P.R. Director
SYLVANIA, GA – Feb. 9, 2013 – Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., reached a World of Outlaws Late Model Series milestone in style, holding off a furious late-race challenge from Shane Clanton of Fayetteville, Ga., to capture Saturday night’s 50-lap ‘Winter Freeze’ finale at Screven Motor Speedway.
The returning two-time champion was never headed after passing Mike Marlar of Winfield, Tenn., for the lead on lap six, but the outcome was in doubt all the way to the checkered flag. Richards had to contend with heavy lapped traffic and a hungry Clanton over the final circuits to register his 40th career victory on the WoO LMS and collect $10,150.
Richards, 24, drove his Valvoline-sponsored Rocket across the finish line with a slight 0.405-second edge on the 37-year-old Clanton, whose bid to sweep the season-opening WoO LMS weekend in the Kennedy Motorsports Capital Race Car fell one spot short. Both Richards and Clanton recorded finishes of first and second in the doubleheader at the three-eighths-mile oval, sending them to the next tour events in Florida deadlocked for the points lead – the circuit’s first tie atop the standings since Richards and Tim McCreadie shared the position after the 11th race of the 2010 season.
Marlar, who started second and led laps 1-5, settled for a close third-place finish in the Bryson Motorsports Rocket. He fell back as far as fourth before rallying to race within striking distance of the leaders during the event’s final stages.
Dale McDowell of Chickamauga, Ga., advanced from the sixth starting spot to place fourth in the Team Dillon Warrior mount and WoO LMS Rookie of the Year contender Eric Wells of Hazard, Ky., scored a career-best tour finish of fifth after starting 13th in a Team Zero by Bloomquist machine.
Richards, who left the WoO LMS last spring to move south and compete on the NASCAR Nationwide Series, plans to chase the World of Outlaws title again this season as he continues pursuing a NASCAR ride opportunity. He made clear his championship worthiness by refusing to fold under Clanton’s intense pressure during the 29-lap run of uninterrupted green-flag racing that closed the A-Main.
“I knew Clanton’s been really, really good and we had a lot of tire chatter the last five or six laps, so I knew he was gonna be trying to come,” said Richards, who moved within one victory of tying defending WoO LMS champion Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., atop the tour’s alltime win list. “We just had to try and stay on the infield and try to keep the right-rear out of the black – and just try to hold on. I think a few more laps he probably would’ve gotten us, but it was just enough.
“Last night we ran second but we just didn’t feel that great, so we just kind of went back with what we know for the heat race. From that point on the car just picked up and I knew we had something to try to win tonight.”
Richards, who started third, celebrated his first-ever triumph at Screven. He had finished as high as second in his four previous WoO LMS starts.
Clanton, who started fourth, got the nose of his car underneath Richards’s several times and nearly ran into the back of Richards’s machine when he charged off turn four to begin the final lap, but he couldn’t pull off a pass.
“My strategy was to just go in the corner as hard as I could and hope I’d stick,” said Clanton. “We rubbed a little bit coming to the white flag and Josh done what he should’ve done – just protect the bottom.”
Clanton wasn’t disappointed in his performance, however. Leaving Screven with a share of the points lead put him in a nice frame of mind.
“It’s a great start to the season,” said Clanton. “We’re excited to be where we are.”
Clanton’s Kennedy Motorsports teammate, Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., finished sixth after briefly climbing to fifth before the halfway mark. Rick Eckert of York, Pa., was seventh; Lanigan placed eighth after winning a B-Main and starting 17th; Pat Doar of New Richmond, Wis., faded from the pole position starting spot to finish ninth; and Chesley Dixon of Swainsboro, Ga., rounded out the top 10.
Four caution flags slowed the A-Main. Three were for slowing cars: Casey Roberts of Toccoa, Ga., on lap three, Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., on lap 13 and Scott James of Bright, Ind., on lap 21. The only tangle came on lap 14 when James and Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., stacked up in turn one due to scramble ahead of them.
Thirty-eight cars entered the event.
Marlar was fastest in Ohlins Shocks Time Trials with a lap of 14.133 seconds. It was his fourth career fast-time honor on the WoO LMS.
Heat winners were Marlar, Richards, McDowell and Fuller. The B-Mains were captured by Lanigan and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.
The WoO LMS now heads to Florida for a pair of tripleheaders. The Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals runs from Feb. 15-17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, and the 42nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville includes World of Outlaws programs on Feb. 21, 22 and 23.
Results of World of Outlaws Late Model Series ‘Winter Freeze’ Night 2 at Screven Motor Speedway (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):
1. (3) Josh Richards/50 $10,150
2. (4) Shane Clanton/50 $5,550
3. (2) Mike Marlar/50 $3,500
4. (6) Dale McDowell/50 $2,550
5. (14) Eric Wells/50 $2,100
6. (8) Tim Fuller/50 $2,250
7. (10) Rick Eckert/50 $2,100
8. (17) Darrell Lanigan/50 $1,950
9. (1) Pat Doar/50 $1,800
10. (5) Chesley Dixon/50 $1,150
11. (20) Gregg Satterlee/50 $1,050
12. (21) Morgan Bagley/50 $1,050
13. (12) Austin Hubbard/50 $950
14. (19) Dillon Wood/49 $950
15. (23) Clint Smith/49 $1,400
16. (18) Tim McCreadie/49 $1,450
17. (11) Chub Frank/49 $1,320
18. (15) Bub McCool/48 $1,300
19. (16) Ray Cook/38 $730
20. (22) Larry Timms/33 $700
21. (13) Scott James/20 $700
22. (9) Casey Roberts/2 $700
23. (7) Ron Davies/2 $700
24. (24) Vic Coffey/0 $1,250
* Earnings include Winners Circle program and cash contingency award bonuses
Time of Race: 23 Mins., 55.410 Secs.
Margin of Victory: 0.405 Secs.
Yellow Flags: 4 (Laps 3, 13, 14, 21)
Lap Leaders: Marlar (1-5); Richards (6-50)
Provisional Starters: C. Smith, Coffey
WoO LMS ‘Bonus Bucks’ Winner: Marlar ($500)
Ohlins Shocks Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):
1. 5b-Mike Marlar/Winfield, TN 14.133
2. 71d-Ron Davies/Warren, PA 14.445
3. 17M-Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA 14.472
4. 11-Pat Doar/New Richmond, WI 14.526
5. 25-Shane Clanton/Fayetteville, Ga 14.534
6. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 14.535
7. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 14.573
8. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 14.593
9. 101-Casey Roberts/Toccoa, GA 14.607
10. 18-Eric Wells/Hazard, KY 14.615
11. 33-Brian Reese/Sharpsburg, GA 14.622
12. 22-Gregg Satterlee/Rochester Mills, PA 14.653
13. 1W-Dillon Wood/New Smyrna Beach, FL 14.659
14. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 14.717
15. 3d-Chesley Dixon/Swainsboro, GA 14.722
16. 11H-Austin Hubbard/Seaford, DE 14.735
17. 32c-Vic Coffey/Caledonia, NY 14.817
18. 98-Casey Barrow/Savannah, GA 14.840
19. 1N-Jordy Nipper/Macon, GA 14.854
20. 71-Larry Timms/Hodges, SC 14.862
21. 25B-Mike Benedum/Salem, WV 14.914
22. b5-Brandon Sheppard/New Berlin, IL 14.945
23. 50-Scott Phillips/Marlette, MI 14.996
24. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 15.001
25. 1G-Scott James/Bright, IN 15.008
26. 7R-Kent Robinson/Bloomington, IN 15.021
27. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 15.062
28. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 15.065
29. 4ds-Chad Hollenbeck/Kingsley, PA 15.121
30. 3-Phillip Pittman/Vidalia, GA 15.234
31. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 15.273
32. 38-Kenny Pettyjohn/Millsboro, DE 15.345
33. 12-Hunter Peacock/Gray, GA 15.357
34. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 15.391
35. 2s-Sam Stile/Charleroi, PA 15.397
36. d8-Dustin Mitchell/Pine Level, NC 15.490
37. 14M-Morgan Bagley/Longview, TX 15.505
38. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 15.970
Heat No. 1 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Marlar, Clanton, Roberts, James, Wood, Peacock, Benedum, Bagley, Hollenbeck, Coffey
Heat No. 2 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Richards, Davies, Eckert, Wells, Barrow, Lanigan, Stone, Robinson, Pittman (DNS) Sheppard
Heat No. 3 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): McDowell, Dixon, Frank, McCool, McCreadie, Stile, Reese, Phillips, Nipper
Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 4 Transfer): Fuller, Doar, Hubbard, Cook, Timms, Pettyjohn, Satterlee, C. Smith, Mitchell
B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Lanigan, Wood, Bagley, Barrow, Stone, Peacock, Sheppard, Benedum, Hollenbeck, Robinson, Coffey (DNS) Pittman
B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 3 Transfer): McCreadie, Satterlee, Timms, Pettyjohn, Nipper, Stile, C. Smith, Phillips, Reese (DNS) Mitchell
World of Outlaws Late Model Series Contingency Award Winners (awards presented to noted finisher/qualifier or next highest displaying decal:
Ohlins Shocks ($50 cash to fast qualifier): Eric Wells
Eibach Springs (one free spring to each B-Main winner): Mike Benedum/Larry Timms
VP Race Fuels ‘Nice Jugs’ Award: (One VP 5-gallon container to fastest qualifier who misses A-Main): Brian Reese
Wrisco Aluminum (3 sheets of aluminum to A-Main winner only): Josh Richards
Armor All (One case of product to highest-finishing non-WoO team in A-Main): Dale McDowell
Comp Cams ($50 certificate to A-Main winner): Josh Richards
QuarterMaster ($100 certificate to A-Main winner, $50 certificate to 5th-place finish): Josh Richards/Eric Wells/Clint Smith
MSD Ignition ($50 cash to A-Main winner): Josh Richards
STP ($50 cash to 2nd-place finisher in A-Main): Shane Clanton
XS Power ($50 cash to 3rd-place finisher in A-Main): Eric Wells
Roush Yates ($50 cash to 4th-place finisher in A-Main): Dale McDowell
JE Pistons ($50 cash to 5th-place finisher in A-Main): Rick Eckert
Dominator ($50 cash to 6th-place finisher in A-Main): Pat Doar
American Race Wheels ($50 cash to 7th-place finisher in A-Main): Rick Eckert
VP Race Fuels ($50 cash to 8th-place finisher in A-Main): Darrell Lanigan
Edelbrock Manifolds ($50 cash to 9th-finisher in A-Main): Pat Doar
Comp Cams ($50 cash to 10th-place finisher in A-Main): Chesley Dixon
XS Power ($60 product certificate to 11th-place finisher in A-Main): Gregg Satterlee
Cometic Gasket ($50 cash to 12th-place finisher in A-Main): Morgan Bagley
JRI Shocks ($50 cash to 13th-place finisher in A-Main): Bub McCool
Super Flow Dynos ($50 cash to 14th-place finisher in A-Main): Dillon Wood
JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 16th-place finisher in A-Main, redeemable w/next purchase of set): Tim McCreadie
Klotz Lubricants ($50 cash to 17th-place finisher in A-Main): Chub Frank
Roush Yates ($50 gift card to 18th-place finisher in A-Main): Bub McCool
QuarterMaster ($50 certificate to 19th-place finisher in A-Main): Ray Cook
Arizona Sport Shirts ($100 certificate to 20th-place finisher in A-Main): Ron Davies
JE Pistons (one complete set of JE Pro Seal rings to 21st-place finisher in A-Main, redeemable w/next purchase of set): Scott James
Roush Yates ($50 gift card to 22nd-place finisher in A-Main): Ron Davies
MSD Ignition ($25 cash to 24th-place finisher in A-Main): Vic Coffey
XS Power ‘Power Move of the Race’ ($60 product certificate): Darrell Lanigan
Roush Yates ($25 gift card to driver who leads most laps in the A-Main): Josh Richards
2013 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Point Standings as of – A-Mains completed (rank/driver/points/deficit to leader):
1. (tie) Shane Clanton 296
1. (tie) Josh Richards 296
3. Darrell Lanigan 272 (-24)
4. (tie) Gregg Satterlee 270 (-26)
4. (tie) Eric Wells 270 (-26)
6. (tie) Pat Doar 264 (-32)
6. (tie) Tim Fuller 264 (-32)
8. Morgan Bagley 262 (-34)
9. Clint Smith 254 (-42)
10. Scott James 252 (-44)
11. Rick Eckert 250 (-46)
12. Casey Roberts 246 (-50)
13. Dale McDowell 242 (-54)
14. (tie) Chub Frank 238 (-58)
14. (tie) Dillon Wood 238 (-58)
16. Ray Cook 236 (-60)
17. Larry Timms 230 (-66)
18. Bub McCool 224 (-72)
19. Chesley Dixon 218 (-78)
20. Tim McCreadie 214 (-82)
The World of Outlaws Late Model Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including Arizona Sport Shirts (Official Apparel Company), Armor All (Official Car Care Products), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Vicci (Official Uniform), VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), DirtonDirt.com (Hard Charger Award) and McCarthy’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning (Raye Vest Memorial Pill Draw Award); in addition to contingency sponsors Butlerbuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Dominator Race Products, Edelbrock, Eibach Springs, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, MSD Ignition, Ohlins Shocks, QuarterMaster, Roush Yates Performance Parts, Superflow Dynos, Wrisco Aluminum and XS Power Racing Batteries; along with manufacturer sponsors Capital Race Cars, Integra Shocks, GRT Chassis, Jake’s Carts, Longacre, Racing Electronics, Rocket Chassis, TNT Rescue, and Warrior Chassis.