Richards Kicks Off Final Week of Season-Opening Swing with Back-To-Back Victories

SHINNSTON, W. Va. - Feb. 19, 2013 - Josh Richards kicked off the final week of his season-opening dirt-track swing through the Southeast with a definite bang.

The 24-year-old from Shinnston, W.Va., scored back-to-back wins in a 24-hour span, capturing the inaugural 75-lap World of Outlaws Late Model Series Super Sunday Showdown on Feb. 17 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla., and the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned Super Late Model A-Main that kicked off the 42nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Monday evening (Feb. 18) at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

Throw in the 50-lap WoO LMS Winter Freeze checkered flag that Richards grabbed on Feb. 9 at Screven Motor Speedway in Sylvania, Ga., and it's clear that the two-time World of Outlaws champion is making his presence known in the dirt-racing world after being away from the WoO LMS most of the 2012 season competing on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit.

"It's been a fun year so far," said Richards, who hasn't finished worse than fourth in his six starts through Feb. 18 behind the wheel of Mark Richards Valvoline-sponsored Rocket Chassis house car. "I've got to thank all my guys - my dad, Matt (Barnes), Cody (Duncan), Steve (Baker) and all the guys back at the shop. We've all been working really great together. We've built some really great racecars and have an awesome (Roush Yates) engine package.

"There's a lot of racing left, but everything couldn't be going better for us."

Richards' biggest triumph of the young season came on Sunday night when he roared to victory in the Super Sunday Showdown that closed the Bubba Army Late Model Winter Nationals. After recording solid finishes of third (Friday's 35-lapper) and fourth (Saturday's 50-lapper), Richards busted through with a convincing performance in the big-money finale. He gained command of the race from Jimmy Owens on lap 18 and never looked back on his way to a $20,000 score.

"I just gotta thank (BRP co-owner) Bubba (Clem) for putting on this kind of race for us," said Richards, who is planning to follow the WoO LMS in 2013 while continuing to pursue opportunities in the NASCAR Nationwide Series where he competed last year. "It's cool to win the big one of the week."

Richards was right back on the attack Monday night in the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit at Volusia, a half-mile track where he won four straight WoO LMS season openers from 2007-2010. He failed to win during the 2011 and 2012 editions of the event, but he fixed that with an impressive triumph in the 30-lap DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned event. Charging forward from the 10th starting spot, he passed Steve Francis for the lead on lap 18 and dominated the remainder of the distance to pocket a $7,000 winner's check.

"It definitely feels good to get back in Victory Lane at Volusia," said Richards, whose Monday victory was the sixth of his career during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit. "I was a little nervous coming in here because we weren't that good last year, but we made a few changes to the car and we stepped up our engine program and everything came together.

"We have five more long nights of racing to go (at Volusia), though - and the real important ones are this weekend (WoO LMS events on Feb. 21-23). We'll try to keep on top of everything and hopefully carry this momentum through the whole week."

Richards will continue racing all week at Volusia, competing in DIRTcar UMP Super Late Models shows on Feb. 19 and 20 and WoO LMS programs for the final three nights (Feb. 21-23). He leads the WoO LMS points standings into this weekend's action.

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.

 

Honey Rentz Carrigan
Rising Star Management Group
hcarrigan@risingstarmg.com
(704) 658-7650

 

 

Perfect timing puts Swindell back on ASCS Tour
Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (February 18, 2013) With a last name like Swindell, it isn’t hard to garner attention and Jeff Swindell is not short on the families pool of talent. Absent from the full time scheduled of the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real in 2012, that didn’t stop the Bartlett, Tenn. driver from winning on four occasions.

First at the Dodge City Raceway Park in the Randy Washburn owned No. 0, then at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in the Hammers backed No. 94, the pair of weekend sweeps solidified Swindell’s plans to return to the road full time.

Asked if the 2012 season was used to regroup, and recharge, Swindell replied, “I had some things I needed to take care of and we got that headed down the right path.”

Commenting on the wins at Dodge City and the Devil’s Bowl, Swindell was modest in his response, “We just worked into a couple of real good racing programs. Randy Washburn’s guys for the Dodge City race week and the Hammers actually midsummer.”

Taking about his upcoming season, Jeff’s words would be good advice for anyone new to the sport of racing. Speaking of teams, and team building, the veteran driver explained, “It’s all a matter of everything gelling, you know, and people working together. We got real lucky with two different teams that way. We’ve built on that and have, and think we have, a real good program built this year.”

When asked how he and the Hammers team got together, Jeff explained that he had seen the car but had never met the owners which he found surprising, seeing as both are originally from the Memphis area.
Chuckling about the story, Jeff explained that the Hammers had reached out for him to drive the car, “He [Mike] had called and asked me to drive the car years ago when I wasn’t racing at all and I don’t even remember it.”

Hearing the call of the Hammers in 2012, the team quickly formed and took off.

Picking up additional sponsorship for the R&A Farms & Pearson Farms No. 94 in the form of Headman Headers colors, the decision for Swindell to return was a much easier one, especially following the struggles of the 2011 season, “Headman Headers come on board with the Hammers’ group and I think, well, it’s all a matter of who you’re with, you know, I think it’s more than anything” commented Swindell.

“The year before last was a struggle for us. We had a lot of people helping but didn’t have any real monetary help so I just kind of had to pay the bills myself. A few wins we should have had we didn’t get so that kind of hurt us, but I think we have everything lined up and in order for this season. “

With the new partnership with the Hammers family, it brings to light the importance of timing in racing. Whether off the tack or on, with the years of experience, and patience, Swindell expounded on the subject by simply saying, “It’s all about timing; racing’s always been about timing.”

Jeff elaborated on the matter by adding, “It’s always being at the right place at the right time to get with the right guy, you know, whether it be a really good Crew Chief that you can work with on some pretty decent stuff, or whether it be some really good stuff that you can work into and get it going with the help of a few guys.”

With long time crew friend and crew member Curtis Davis, along with son Asa working to get the Headman Headers / H&H Container Services No. 94 ready for the road, added help from brother Sammy has not gone unnoticed, “Sammy’s been pretty instrumental in some of our set ups, and learning the new Super Shox; very instrumental.”

With fresh Fisher power, and brand new J&J Chassis’ at the ready, Swindell has surrounded himself with people whom he enjoys working with, and being around, “I think that’s going to make a big difference” Swindell said.

“Everybody down there is really relaxed, and looking forward to the year and when you can enjoy it, and have fun with people who you enjoy being around, it just makes life a lot easier. You can get more things done, and when you can get more things done, I think it helps you get ahead of the next guy.”

A short tack ace, Jeff explained that the short track program is probably the biggest improvement the team needs to make in the 2013 season. A past champion at the Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis, Ark. Swindell looks forward to getting out west for the season opening weekends in Arizona.
Despite begin bigger tracks, Swindell is confident saying, “I think we’re a lot better than most on the big tracks.” Commenting on Tucson, the veteran Swindell described the oval as one “that races a lot like a short track” due to the contact, and close quarters, which is often associated with the Tucson oval.
Confirming having never been to Cocopah Speedway, the $10,000 payday is certainly a high point to start the season, “That pumps ever body up. Sometimes it pumps people up a little too much too, but that’s the nature of the beast.”

With a line-up of drivers that is among the stoutest of any year with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real, the field of cars presents a true challenge to all who look to win. Asked about the field, Jeff replied, “It’s going to be as hard to win races as it is on the Outlaw deal. It’s just a different program.”

The 2013 Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real begins at the Tucson International Raceway on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23. The two day event will be preceded by a practice night on Thursday, Feb. 21 starting at 7pm. For more information, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
The 2013 season marks the twenty-second year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of nine different Regions throughout the nation.

Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.

Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix

Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.

Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Engler Machine and Tool, Roush Yates Racing Engines, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Fuel Safe, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Bladders, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Simpson, LeJoie Seating, Ti 22 Performance, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, DMI Rear Ends, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.

“The Flying Fossil” makes his return

Bryan Hulbert - TULSA, Okla. (February 18, 2013) The 2012 season was not what Danny Wood expected. Earning a thrilling last lap victory at the Cocopah Speedway just outside Yuma, Ariz. to start his season off, the season seemed to going swimmingly until engine problems, coupled with a family emergency sidelined “The Flying Fossil”.

Despite the setback, there was a silver lining as Danny Wood returned home to begin expanding his trucking company. Hitting select shows throughout the remainder of the 2012 season, the time away allowed Danny to rebuild his team and get a head start on a 2013 return.

Asked about the changes made while away, the biggest came with a change of engine builders. Trying a Shark Racing Engine towards the end of 2012, Danny was pleased enough with the engines performance to make the switch to the Washington based engine builder.

“We’ve been needing more bottom end on our motors and right there towards the end of the year we sent one of our motors to shark and had Marc [Husson] go through it and he was able to make some changes” explained Wood. “I talked with Sam Hafertepe, Jr. and he was having the same problems and we were just having to wind those motors so much, and then they would just run hot.”

Having his own business, Danny has to walk a fine line between racing and working. One of the biggest challenges he faces is having everyone in place to allow him to race, “It makes it tight for me a little bit, you know, and I’ve had some growing pains these last few years” said the Norman, Okla. native of his business.

“I’ve really grown and put on a lot more trucks so now I’ve been trying to get everything in place to where I can appoint someone now a little bit to watch things so we can get some time away to do things that we want to do.”

With a new design on the Statewide Services No. 81 for the 2013 season, Danny will again welcome D&J Land, Flying “J” Ranch, A-Plus Lawn Care, Smiley’s Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, and J&J Chassis to the lineup of sponsors for the 2013 season.

Longtime friends with the owner of Statewide Services, the pair have a great love of racing “Jim and I went to school together and he just enjoys it. He’s helped me quite a bit, well as say quite a bit he has helped here and there along the way because he just enjoys racing, and enjoys being around it. He called me about doing this deal last year and I was like heck yeah, let’s do it.”

Keeping everything low key and laid back for the most part, the pair are serious about their racing, “When we roll up we want to win every race. That’s our goal every time we show up but if we run second, or run tenth, then that’s fine.”

Even with the goal of winning, the veteran driver was clear that he, and his partners, are more than welcome to the idea of winning and putting on a show for the fans, but realize that there are things beyond just winning, “We are not going to get ourselves into a stupid situation that’s going to tear up our equipment. If it’s been raining and we have to put on a show that’s one thing, but I won’t put up with a man-made mess.”

Bringing up his nickname, Danny laughed about the origins of the name, “You know when that deal first started, and Johnny [Gibson] gave me that name when I was running the Outlaws; my wife hated it. You just don’t make a woman look old but she’s gotten over it and the fans really like it.”

With the years of experience, the A-Plus Lawn Care No. 81, has a simple goal of consistency for the 2013 season. Asked what it takes to maintain the momentum from track to track, Danny’s answer was simply about routine, “We got a set routine that we do and keep records of what the tracks are, and what size they are and what changes we make. We have a standard setup and just kind of work in from there.”

Danny Wood’s season begins at the Tucson International Raceway on Friday, Feb. 22 and Saturday, Feb. 23. The two day event will be preceded by a practice night on Thursday, Feb. 21 starting at 7pm. For more information, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.

The 2013 season marks the twenty-second year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of nine different Regions throughout the nation.

Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.

Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix

Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.

Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, PitstopUSA.com, Engler Machine and Tool, Roush Yates Racing Engines, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Fuel Safe, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Bladders, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Xtreme Accu-Tach, Simpson, LeJoie Seating, Ti 22 Performance, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Brown and Miller Racing Solutions, DMI Rear Ends, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

 
Bobby Labonte Racing Starts Off 2013 with a Win
Pearson Jr. Claims Victory at East Bay

TRINITY, NC (February 18, 2013) - Bobby Labonte Racing (BLR) and Earl Pearson Jr. returned to Victory Lane Saturday night after overcoming engine troubles at East Bay Raceway Park.  The team had been in Tampa, Fla., for a week of races on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS) tour and finished the trip on a high note by winning Saturday's feature.

BLR started Wednesday night's heat strong with some great competition.  Pearson Jr. was leading Heat 3 when something went wrong with the engine.  Because it was not a points race, the BLR team decided to take the rest of the night to regroup.  The crew, lead engineer Kevin Rumley and Pearson Jr. gained more valuable time when Mother Nature dumped rain on the area, moving Thursday night's race to Saturday afternoon.

The BLR team, which includes Kevin Rumley, Lee Roy Rumley, Steve Shaver, Justin Labonte and Bryan Liverman, had the No. 44 Lucas Oil Longhorn Chassis ready to go for Friday night's races.  The team won its B-Main event, which put Pearson Jr. starting the feature in 18th position.  The driver known as "The Hurricane" was back in full force and tore through the field to gain 14 spots and finish with a fourth-place finish on Friday night. 

"We were very happy with the car Friday night," said Pearson Jr. "That was about the first time we've been able to have our newly redesigned chassis out on the track. We planned on testing late January but the weather in North Carolina didn't cooperate.

"With the addition of Kevin, redesigning the Longhorn chassis, and having Kevin's dad, Lee Roy, on the engines, we've been able to make great strides in a short amount of time during the off season."

On Saturday, the team took the momentum gained on Friday night and was ready to capitalize.  Pearson Jr. steered his Longhorn Chassis to the front of Heat 4 for the win and a fourth-place starting position in the feature.   On Lap 37 the No. 44 suffered a flat tire, forcing Pearson Jr. to pit and go to the rear of the field.  However, knowing he had a great car, the driver tore through the field and on Lap 52 took the lead from Don O'Neal.  The Hurricane led the remainder of the feature and took the checkered flag for his first win since July 2010. 

"It feels great to be back in Victory Lane.  It's been a long time," Pearson Jr. said.  "Thanks to Bobby and the whole team, this has been a group effort.  It's taken everyone working long hours the last month but well worth it.  Special thanks to Lucas Oil for the support.  It's an exciting and happy time for all of us at BLR."

BLR takes a couple nights off and heads to Volusia Speedway in De Leon Springs, Fla., looking to pick up where they left off at East Bay.  The team will be back in action Tuesday at Volusia. 

 

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
403 Gilead Road, Suite A
Huntersville, NC  28078
Office: 704-766-9061
Mobile: 704-252-3356 
jdennison@breakinglimits.net