Josh Richards Wins Wild World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series Feature at DIRTcar Nationals
Laubach holds off Sheppard to score Super DIRTcar Series win
BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 19, 2016 – Josh Richards scored a wild second straight World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series victory Friday night during DIRTcar Nationals as he battled through the field from a 12th place starting position and held off Jonathan Davenport.
Davenport led through the early portion of the 50-lap feature as Richards worked his way through the field. Ocala-native Ivedent Lloyd Jr. battled with Davenport through the middle portion of the feature and helped open the door for the charging Richards. Through the closing laps, Richards and Davenport fought through traffic and engaged in a side-by-side, lap-by-lap battle for the lead. Ultimately, it was Richards on top, scoring his second straight series win and third win of DIRTcar Nationals.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Richards said. “We got put behind early. I ran out of tear offs and I ran the last four laps with my shield up. I knew we had a good car … I didn’t know how lapped traffic was going to play out. I just tried to keep my speed up and get up through there. This track’s been awesome. I can’t thank the fans enough – this has been an unbelievable speed weeks.”
The win was the one of the deepest come from behind victories in recent DIRTcar Nationals history, and gave the 27-year-old driver his 60th career win.
One night after losing the Super DIRTcar Series feature to Matt Sheppard as he battled his way through lapped traffic, Rick Laubach was redeemed as he held off Sheppard by .117 seconds to score a win.
Laubach started the feature on the pole but Sheppard battled forward from a sixth place starting position. Through several cautions and challenges Laubach maintained his lead but again, lapped traffic came into play. As he worked his way through in the final three laps, Sheppard closed the gap. As the two drivers turned the final lap, they crossed the finish side-by-side. It was Laubach by a nose.
“My crew guy said I had a lead and I’m like, alright – I didn’t feel pressure again like last night. Son of a gun, he was right there again,” Laubach said. “I know those yellows were helping a little bit. Track conditions were mixing up. I kind of just stroked it that last lap and held it down into turn one and he was going to go by me. I’ve got to get my lapped traffic skills down a little better. We had a good run last night, maybe almost a win, tonight we got the win. My little boy, he loves these trophies, he said, ‘we’ll take another trophy back to grammy’s house.”