Richards Falls One Position Short of Knoxville Late Model Nationals Sweep  

SHINNSTON, W. Va (October 1, 2013) - Josh Richards came oh-so-close to pulling off a very ware sweep of the Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals.

After scoring back-to-back triumphs in 25-lap preliminary feature events last Thursday and Friday night at the famed Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, the 25-year-old driver from Shinnston, W.Va., made a serious bid for victory in Saturday night's 100-lap finale before earning his third career runner-up finish in the Nationals.

"We still had a phenomenal weekend and our guys did a great job," Richards said during Saturday's post-race press conference. "I'm just very competitive...and anytime you feel like you should've done something different to win the race, that's just part of it. I try to hide (the emotions) as much as I can, but it's still frustrating."

Richards started second in the 100-lapper behind the wheel of his Valvoline-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car and led 18 of the first 19 laps before ceding the top spot. He rallied to regain command on lap 84, but a red flag on lap 94 for a multi-car accident produced a restart that saw Richards lose the lead and cross the finish line a few car lengths from the P1 spot. 

Richards, whose preliminary feature wins pushed his overall 2013 win total to 15, was bidding to become just the second driver to sweep all three races that comprise the Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals, joining Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Billy Moyer, who accomplished the feat in 2010.

For more information on Josh Richards, visit www.joshrichards.com and follow him on Twitter at @Josh_Richards1 and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/JoshRichardsRacing.

Josh Richards' No. 1 team carries support from Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D's, Ace Welding, Petroff Towing, Sallack Well Service, Tony Stewart Racing, Rocket Chassis, Roush Yates Engines, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Racing Fuels, Keyser Manufacturing, Integra Shocks, Sweet Manufacturing, Slavic Custom Tee Shirts And Graphics, Brown and Miller, Brazwell Carburetors, Bazell Racing Fuels, ButlerBuilt Seat, Beyea Headers, Performance Rod and Custom, Wilwood Disc Brakes, Frankland Rear Ends, Simpson Safety Equipment, J E Pistons, Strange Oval, Wrisco Aluminum, R2C Filters, Aurora Rod Ends, Snap On Tools, Scott Wires, Trick Carbon Fiber Drive Shafts, Five Star Bodies, Jones Racing Products, Howe Racing, Performance Bodies, Turbo Start Batteries, Brinn Transmissions, Eagle One, Car Brite, ATL Fuel Cells, Dohm's Cycles, Weld Wheels, Barnes Oil Systems, Tel-Tac, MSD Ignitions.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Bobby Labonte Racing Earns Two Top-10 finishes at Knoxville Raceway
Mechanical Issues Hinders Pearson Jr. Saturday Night

Trinity, NC (October 1, 2013) - Bobby Labonte Racing and Earl Pearson Jr. headed for Knoxville Speedway for three nights of racing in the Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals. The BLR team would take the track Thursday night amongst 72 entrants looking to capture the checkered flag and $7,000 to win.

Pearson Jr. and his No. 44 Lucas Oil Longhorn Chassis did not start the night off very well in preliminary action. Pearson Jr. started the 25 lap feature in 24th place. With few laps to work toward the front, Pearson Jr. drove the No. 44 Longhorn Chassis hard and finished with a respectable 10th place.

On Friday night, the BLR team and Pearson Jr. had a better showing in preliminary action, transferring out of Heat# 2 to the 25 lap Feature. Pearson Jr. started in the top spot and pushed hard to stay in the lead. However, he fell back slightly, finishing in the top-five on Friday night with a fourth-place finish.

The 100 lap $40,000 to win feature on Saturday night had 72 cars on hand to try and win the purse. With great finishes of 10th and fourth already for the weekend, Pearson Jr. would start the 100 lap feature in eighth place. The No. 44 Lucas Oil Longhorn Chassis with Pearson Jr. behind the wheel ran in the top-five most of the night before mechanical issues ended the night for BLR.

"We had great finishes Thursday and Friday night," said Pearson Jr. "I was very happy with the way the car ran all weekend, just had bad luck Saturday night with mechanical issues.   The car is running so well wished we could have been there at the end."

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) will be at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, GA on Friday, October 5 and Rome International Speedway in Rome, GA on Saturday, October 6. Pearson Jr. remains fourth place, 680 points out of first place. For photos, team updates and news go to www.bobbylabonteracing.com. For live updates from the races each week follow Earl Pearson Jr. and Bobby Labonte Racing on Twitter and Facebook. The NEW Longhorn Chassis went on sale to Dirt Racers last week be sure to contact Longhorn Chassis to get yours 336.434.LONG.

About Bobby Labonte Racing:
BLR is located in Trinity, N.C., and owned by 2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte. The team was formed in 2007 and immediately won back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships. The organization is sponsored by Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Archdale Drug, Coca-Cola, ALLSTAR, Tiger Rear Ends, BERT, Butlerbuilt, Hyperco, SHY, Wilwood, Sweet, TWM, Dyers Top Rods, Weld Wheels, Bell, Hoosier Tire, PRC, Mechanix Wear, Larry Wallace Engines, ASI Racewear, Xtreme Graphics, Hank Thomas Performance, Wiles Drive Shafts, Bazel Race Fuels, FK Rod Ends and Peterson Fluid Systems.

About Longhorn Chassis
Longhorn Chassis was founded in 2010 by NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte, along with his brother and two-time NASCAR Champion, Terry Labonte. After numerous successful seasons as a Dirt Late Model team owner with driver Earl Pearson Jr., Labonte decided to take it one step further with his racing operations and the team started building their own race cars, in shop. The first two late model chassis built out of Longhorn Chassis went to Justin Labonte and the house car, driven by Earl Pearson Jr. Pearson would debut his Longhorn Chassis at the North/South 100 in Florence, Ky., where he finished a solid second, he'd later record Longhorn Chassis' first Victory at the 2010 Dirt Track World Championships at West Virginia Motor Speedway. With just a couple of racing season under their belts, and numerous wins, Longhorn Chassis has already proven its strength and ability on the track.

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Contact:
Jeff Dennison
Breaking Limits
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Huntersville, NC  28078
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jdennison@breakinglimits.net