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Contact: World Racing Group
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
704-254-7929 • kkovac@dirtcar.com
CONCORD, NC - Oct. 21, 2009 - Steve Francis was there when Josh Richards drove a dirt Late Model for the first time.
Now, six-and-a-half years later, Francis and Richards are battling for the 2009 World of Outlaws Late Model Series title.
Francis vs. Richards. The 42-year-old veteran from Kentucky vs. the 21-year-old young gun from West Virginia. The proven champion vs. the hopeful champion. The mentor vs. the student.
A season spent criss-crossing the country comes down to two racers who know each other well – very well – in a virtual dead-heat for a $100,000 championship prize entering the third annual World of Outlaws World Finals on Nov. 5-7 at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway.
“It's definitely a different situation to be racing for a championship against somebody you're so close to,” said Francis, who has known Richards's father, Mark, for two decades and has watched Josh grow from a shy kid to a confident dirt Late Model superstar. “With Josh, I kind of feel like a father would in that I'm proud to have played a little part in seeing him get to where he is so fast. I want to see him do good and I'd like to see him win the championship – but not at my expense, which is where the mixed emotions come in.”
Richards is experiencing the same type of conflicted feelings as his friendly war with Francis heads to its dramatic conclusion.
“He's been one of the biggest helpers I've had in my career,” Richards said of Francis. “He's been mentoring me since I started. He's taught me a lot, so it's kind of weird that we'll be trying to use some of that knowledge to beat him for the championship.”
Francis brings a scant four-point WoO LMS points lead over Richards into The Dirt Track's season-ending spectacular, which actually kicks off on Nov. 4 with the postponed ‘Topless Showdown.' The topless event offers only tour show-up points, however, so the two 50-lap A-Mains that comprise the World Finals will determine the '09 champion.
“We're going there tied is what it amounts to in my mind,” said Francis, who overtook Richards for the points lead in the last WoO LMS event contested, on Sept. 6 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. “Four points is just a couple (finishing) positions, so there's basically no difference. There's no scenarios to think about – you just put your helmet on and go racing.
“Hopefully it doesn't come down to bad luck for either of us and we can race it out.”
Considering the nip-and-tuck nature of the '09 WoO LMS points race, it's very likely that the two drivers will take their battle right down to the last lap of the Nov. 7 A-Main. They have, after all, produced remarkably similar performance records. Richards has seven wins, Francis six. Francis has nine runner-up finishes, Richards six. Francis has 24 top-five finishes in 37 events, Richards 21. Richards pulled off a late-race pass of Francis to win on July 16 at Huron, S.D., and Francis returned the favor on Sept. 5 at Tri-City. Both drivers have 31 top-10 finishes, five fast-time honors and failed to qualify through a heat race just once (resulting in the lone provisional starting spots each has used this season). Richards has held at least a share of the points lead after 23 events, Francis after 11 – and they were tied for the top spot after the July 8 ‘Gopher 50' at Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway.
“It seems like we've been married to each other all year,” Francis said of their nearly mirror-image stats and penchant for running close together. “I'm sure that's the way it will be again (during the World Finals). We'll probably be parked right beside each other like we have been most of the season, and I'm sure we'll talk and help each other all weekend like we always have.
“This is not a rivalry-type thing,” he added. “I feel like I've had a part in his development.”
Indeed, throughout Richards's march from little kid tagging along to the races with his father to the brink of a WoO LMS title, Francis has been there. Francis has long run cars built by Rocket Chassis, the Shinnston, W.Va.-based business co-owned by Mark Richards, and in 2002-2003 Francis drove the Mark Richards Racing Enterprises/Rocket Chassis house car that Josh now campaigns.
“I remember when Josh was 10, 11 years old, he was a shy, quiet kid who would barely say anything,” said Francis. “You didn't know if he had that much interest in (driving), but by the time I left (as the Rocket house driver) he was getting into it. I could tell where he was headed.”
In fact, in the spring of 2003, Francis stood in awe at I-79 Raceway – a now-shuttered quarter-mile oval across the street from the Rocket shop that Mark Richards used to co-promote – when Josh took his first laps behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model. With Josh, then 15, downtrodden because his high-school classes meant he couldn't head out on a road trip with his dad and Francis, Mark Richards tried to cheer his son up by offering him a chance to hot-lap Francis's backup car. Josh jumped right in and almost immediately got the machine up to speed.
“I told Mark right there, ‘When I get done, there's your next driver,'” recalled Francis.
By 2005, Richards was the WoO LMS Rookie of the Year. He's improved every season since then, finishing ninth in the 2006 points standings, sixth in 2007 and second in 2008. Now he's attempting to continue his progression by winning the championship over Francis, who won the title in 2007 and is bidding to become the first repeat champ since the WoO LMS was rekindled in 2004 under the World Racing Group banner.
Francis, who is chasing this year's points crown driving for Maryland's Dale Beitler after winning the '07 title with his own equipment, isn't surprised that Richards is contending for a championship on a series that he calls “the top echelon of the sport.”
“I did think it could happen,” Francis said when asked if he expected Richards to be going for a title just six years after debuting in the division. “He has the ability to drive a race car, he works on his race car, he understands his race car, and he has as good a group of people behind him as you could ever have.
“Josh takes a lot of grief sometimes about having this-and-that handed to him, but I've been to the shop and seen him working at midnight or 1 o'clock. It's not like he didn't earn his shot at a championship.”
For his part, the polite, easy-going Richards modestly deflects the praise thrown his way by Francis. He almost feels like he's crashing a party by running neck-and-neck with Francis for a WoO LMS title.
“I've always looked up to him,” Richards said of Francis. “I'm real honored to be up there racing for the World of Outlaws championship with him. I never would've thought it was possible, but I dreamed it. I had it in my mind before I started (racing) that if you set your mind to it, if you have the passion and desire to do it, if you have the support and just believe in yourself, you can have success pretty quickly.”
Richards knows he faces the challenge of his racing career during the World Finals. He's pitted against a driver who's been racing for more years than he's been alive, a battle-tested chauffeur who's been in series points races that have literally come down to the last lap of the season – in 2005, Francis lost the WoO LMS title to Billy Moyer on a tie-breaker after being passed for position by Moyer on the final circuit of the Gator 100 at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park.
“Francis isn't gonna let up,” said Richards, who outdueled Francis during last year's World Finals to finish second in the WoO LMS points standings (one spot ahead of Francis). “He's gonna give it 120 percent on every lap, in every corner. He's been through everything before, so you know if you can beat him it will definitely mean a lot.”
Richards, of course, has never entered the final event of a season in position to win a points title. His father Mark, meanwhile, hasn't enjoyed a championship celebration since 1983, when he and Rodney Combs co-owned the car that Combs drove to the National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) series crown, so there figures to be plenty of anxiousness in the Richards pit during the World Finals.
Can the young Richards handle the pressure? His cool, calm personality should have him equipped for the mental aspect of the weekend, but it's still a new experience for him.
“I've always been pretty relaxed at the track, but this is definitely gonna test my limits,” said Richards. “I'm sure where (Francis) is at is always gonna be in the back of my mind all weekend, but he'll be thinking the same way. He's been in the situation before where he's lost close points battles and he doesn't want to let it happen again, so we'll have to be on top of our game.”
Ticket information on the World of Outlaws World Finals – the only event this season fans can see the WoO Late Models and Sprint Cars compete on the same card – is available by logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS.
For more information on the WoO LMS, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
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), Crane Cams (Official Valvetrain), Hoosier Racing Tires (Official Racing Tires), Fusion Energy Boost (Official Energy Boost), SuperClean (Official Cleaner-Degreaser) and VP Racing (Official Racing Fuel); in addition to contingency sponsors Champ Pans, Eibach Springs, Hoosier Tires, Integra Shocks, Jake's Custom Golf Carts, Ohlins Shocks, Racing Electronics, Quarter Master and Wrisco Aluminum; Crane Cams Engine Builder's Challenge participants Cornett Racing Engines, Custom Race Engines and Pro Power Racing Engines; and Chassis Builder Challenge participants Rocket Chassis and Team Zero by Bloomquist.
Contact: World Racing Group
Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws PR Director
704-467-7803 • tveneziano@dirtcar.com
World of Outlaws Preview: WoO Fest at Lone Star Speedway
Kilgore, TX— October 21, 2009—Just three races remain in the battle for the 2009 World of Outlaws championship with Donny Schatz and Jason Meyers locked in one of the best battles in series history heading into the inaugural WoO Fest at Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas on Saturday, October 24. Just 18 points separate the pair as they return to the blazing fast half-mile for the second time this season. The pair is near the top of the leader board in most statistical categories this season with the World of Outlaws.
Schatz, the three-time and defending series champion is currently on top of the points standings and leads the series with 38 Top-Five finishes, while Meyers, who is second in points, tops the leader board with 52 Top-10 performances. Schatz has won 12 A-Feature events while Meyers has won eight A-Features and one preliminary feature. Schatz is tied for the series lead in fast time honors in qualifying with Meyers second in that category. Meyers leads the series in wins in the Crane Cams Dash to earn pole positions, with Schatz second on that list.
The World of Outlaws made their first appearance at Lone Star Speedway since 2004 back in April, with Joey Saldana picking up the win over Schatz and 20-time series champion Steve Kinser. Saldana is currently third in points, 39 points behind Meyers and 57 out of the lead and still has a mathematical shot at winning the title.
The World of Outlaws first visited Lone Star Speedway in 1984, with three-time series champion Sammy Swindell winning that event. He won three races at the track that season and was victorious in each of the first five events that the series contested at the track. Steve Kinser snapped that streak in 2003 picking up his first win at the track and followed that up in 2004 with another triumph.
Danny Lasoski, the 2001 World of Outlaws champion, currently holds the track record at Lone Star Speedway, circling the half-mile in 13.05 seconds in 2002 during qualifying. The blazing fast half-mile has been resurfaced since the World of Outlaws raced there in April, so look for the track record to be challenged. A total of 10 track records have fallen this season during time trials at World of Outlaws events.
Following the inaugural WoO Fest at Lone Star Speedway, just the World Finals at The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway remains on the 2009 calendar, in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in series history.
Slidejobs- WoO Fest at Lone Star Speedway:
Looking for two in a row: Joey Saldana wired the field in April at Lone Star Speedway to pick up his first career win at the half-mile. In three career starts at the track he has finished eighth or better in each one of them. The second generation driver leads the World of Outlaws with 18 A-Feature wins this season and has won 19 times overall with the series. He is currently third in points on the strength of 46 Top-10 finishes with 35 of those being Top-Fives. He is 39 points behind Jason Meyers for the second spot in the series championship standings and 57 out of the lead. He was also victorious this season at Houston Raceway Park in Texas to bring his career win total to four in the Lone Star State.
Chasing wins: Donny Schatz finished fourth at Lone Star Speedway in the spring and in three career starts at the half-mile has finished in the runner-up spot twice and fourth in the other event. Lone Star Speedway is one of just a handful of tracks on the 2009 schedule that the three-time and defending series champion has not won at in his career. Schatz has 12 A-Feature wins this season and leads the series with 38 Top-Five finishes as he chases his fourth consecutive title. He has three career wins in the state of Texas, with the most recent of those coming in 2007 at Houston Raceway Park.
Chasing a title: Jason Meyers heads to Lone Star Speedway second in the World of Outlaws championship standings, just 18 markers behind Donny Schatz. Meyers finished fourth at the half-mile back in April to earn his best career finish at the track. The native of Clovis, California leads the series with 52 Top-10 finishes in the 62 A-Feature events that have been contested as he chases his first series crown. He has won eight A-Feature events this season and nine times overall. Meyers, who was fastest in time trials in the World of Outlaws most recent event at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in New York to earn five bonus points in the standings, has been quickest in time trials eight times this season which is second only to Schatz and Jason Sides.
A strong record: Steve Kinser has nine Top-10 finishes in 10 career starts at Lone Star Speedway with eight of those being Top-Five performances including two wins. The 20-time series champion finished third at the track back in April and has finished on the podium in three consecutive races at Lone Star Speedway. In his career, Kinser has over 50 wins in the state of Texas with the World of Outlaws dating back to 1979. The native of Bloomington, Indiana is currently fourth in points on the strength of 47 Top-10 finishes with 30 of those being Top-Fives.
Plenty of starts: Jason Sides has made 11 starts in his career at Lone Star Speedway, which is the most of any driver competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season. He has seven Top-10 finishes at the half-mile including a sixth-place effort earlier this season. The 2003 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year is currently fifth in points on the strength of two wins and a career-best 45 Top-10 finishes with 23 of those being Top-Fives. The native of Bartlett, Tennessee is tied for the series lead in fast time honors, stopping the clock first a career-best 10 times this season.
Seventh heaven: Danny Lasoski has finished seventh or better in all four of his career starts at Lone Star Speedway, including winning at the track in 2002 in a World of Outlaws Gumout Series event. He finished fifth at the half-mile earlier this season and heads back to Texas a very solid sixth in the series standings on the strength of five A-Feature wins along with 40 Top-10 finishes in his first season driving for the Parsons Motorsports team. The native of Dover, Missouri has 11 career wins in the state of Texas dating back to 1990.
Taking to the track: Craig Dollansky who is currently seventh in the World of Outlaws championship standings will make his fourth career start at Lone Star Speedway this weekend. He finished seventh back in April at the track and was 10th in his last start prior to that. The native of Elk River, Minnesota has won three times this season and is currently seventh in points on the strength of 40 Top-10 finishes with 20 of those being Top-Fives. The former Gumout Series champion has one career win in the state of Texas.
2 for 2 on Top-10's: Kraig Kinser finished third in his debut at Lone Star Speedway in 2004 and was 10th at the track back in the spring. The third generation driver is currently eighth in the World of Outlaws championship standings on the strength of 28 Top-10 finishes with 10 of those being Top-Fives. In his career in the state of Texas, the younger Kinser has eight Top-10 finishes.
Looking to change his luck: Jac Haudenschild started on the pole for the main event at Lone Star Speedway back in the spring, but had bad luck plague him as he was first penalized a row for his crew working on the car during a fuel stop and then suffered a flat tire while running second. The Hall of Famer finished fourth in his debut at Lone Star Speedway back in 1986. Haudenschild is currently ninth in points on the strength of 30 Top-10 finishes and is just 45 markers out of the eighth spot. The native of Wooster, Ohio has two career wins in the Lone Star State.
A return trip: Lucas Wolfe will make his second start at Lone Star Speedway this weekend. The reigning Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award winner is currently 10th in points on the strength of 16 Top-10 finishes with five of those being Top-Fives. The race at Lone Star Speedway earlier this season was his first ever race in the state of Texas and since he has competed at Houston Raceway Park.
Back for more: Brian Ellenberger, the leading contender for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year award this season, will also make his second start at Lone Star Speedway. The race at Lone Star in the spring also marked his first racing trip to the state of Texas. The native of Butler, Pennsylvania has four Top-10 finishes this season including a career-best third-place run at Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas back in June.
Making his debut: Brad Sweet will make his debut at Lone Star Speedway this weekend as he makes his third start in the No. 19 machine for Kasey Kahne Racing. The California native finished in the Top-10 earlier this season with the World of Outlaws in the finale of the Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway in his home state. Sweet competed in the state of Texas for the first time in his career earlier this season in a midget.
By the Numbers: Lone Star Speedway:
0.5- Miles around Lone Star Speedway
3- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the series at Lone Star Speedway, Steve Kinser, Joey Saldana and Sammy Swindell; Events in the state of Texas this season for the World of Outlaws
8- A-Feature events contested by the World of Outlaws at Lone Star Speedway dating back to 1984
10- Track records that have been set in time trials in 2009
11- Drivers competing full-time with the World of Outlaws this season
13.05- Track record established by Danny Lasoski in 2002 in time trials
16- Drivers that have won A-Feature events with the World of Outlaws this season
18-Points that separate Donny Schatz and Jason Meyers atop the World of Outlaws standings; A-Feature wins for Joey Saldana this season to lead the series
20- Drivers that have been quickest in time trials this season
22- Drivers that have won the Crane Cams Dash this season to earn pole positions in feature event
25- Drivers that have led laps in feature races this season with the World of Outlaws
30- Laps led by Joey Saldana en route to winning at Lone Star Speedway on April 10
38- Top-Five finishes for Donny Schatz to lead the series through October 10
52-Top-10 finishes for Jason Meyers through October 10 to lead the series
62- A-Feature events contested through October 10
432- Laps led by Joey Saldana this season to lead the series
1430- Miles from Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, New York where the World of Outlaws competed on October 10 to Lone Star Speedway in Kilgore, Texas
1984- Year that the World of Outlaws first competed at Lone Star Speedway
12,000- Dollars the winner will receive on Saturday, October 24
52,050-Dollars in the total purse on Saturday, October 24
348,535- Dollars earned by Joey Saldana this season to lead the series
Tickets : On Saturday, October 24 at Lone Star Speedway, general admission tickets for adults will be $25, with general admission tickets for Seniors/Military $20, with children ages 6-12 $15 and kids ages five-under admitted free of charge in the general admission seats. All reserved tickets will be $30. For tickets visit http://www.lonestarspeedway.com or call the track at 903-986-9731.
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