Richards Holds off Sheppard to Win at Golden Isles

Richards Holds off Sheppard to Win at Golden Isles

(BRUNSWICK, GA - February 5, 2016) - Josh Richards held off a late race charge from Brandon Sheppard to win on the opening night of the Georgia Boot Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway on Friday Night. Richards led but all but one lap on his way to victory in the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event.

Sheppard; the 2015 LOLMDS Rookie of the Year; briefly took the lead from Richards with four laps to go, but Richards regained the top spot moments later and went on for his seventh career LOLMDS win. Sheppard crossed the line a car length and a half behind in second, followed by; last year's series champion; Jonathan Davenport, Jared Landers, and Chris Madden.

"We had a pretty decent car the whole race," said 28-year-old Richards. I was concerned about tire wear tonight; I felt like they were giving up towards the end. When we got into traffic, we were able to run the top around those guys in clean air and a clean track, which sure helped us, because those running behind me didn't have that advantage."

"When I saw Brandon get by me, I went into turn one, and I didn't want to get into him. His car drifted up and I was able to get back around him. Brandon is a great kid. We have been friends for a long-time. What a way to start the New Year with these Rocket XR1 cars finishing first and second."

"I would like to thank my dad, and all of my crew. I want thank Valvoline, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ace Metal Works, and Andy Durham Racing Engines. Thanksto Lucas Oil and the track crew for a great track."

Richards and Jared Landers started on the front row of the 50-lap main event. Richards took the lead at the start of the race with Landers running in second. Landers held the second-spot until lap 15 when Sheppard got around him.

With seven laps-to-go, a final caution set-up a shootout between the top three of Richards, Sheppard, and Davenport.

"Our car was really good all night! We moved to the top and that helped us," said Sheppard. "Josh drifted up just enough for me to get by him. When he saw me, he was able to get back to the bottom of the track. I want to thank everybody at Best Performance Motorsports for this opportunity. It was a good race for us and a good points night, and a great way to start the year!"

Davenport recovered from falling all the way to 12th place at one point during the race. "We are really good on the long runs. I hated to see that one caution when we got up to third. We went to the top and car took off and was super good."

Completing the top ten were Eddie Carrier Jr., Tim McCreadie, Darrell Lanigan, Brian Shirley, and Steve Francis.

In preliminary action, Jonathan Davenport set the overall Miller Welders Fast Time (Group A) amongst the 45 entrants, with a lap of 13.326 seconds. Jared Landers set the fastest time in Group B with a time of 15.399 seconds. Josh Richards, Brandon Sheppard, Jared Landers and Brian Shirley won their respective heat races. Randy Weaver and Mason Zeigler won their respective B-Mains.

For the latest breaking news concerning the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, including the latest series standings, 2016 tour schedule, driver information, and more visit the official website at: www.lucasdirt.com.

Feature Finish (50 Laps):

FINISH   START   CAR #    DRIVER NAME   HOMETOWN

1             1             1R          Josh Richards      Shinnston, WV

2             3             B5          Brandon Sheppard            New Berlin, IL

3             5             6             Jonathan Davenport        Mount Airy, NC

4             2             777        Jared Landers     Batesville, AR

5             6             44           Chris Madden     Gaffney, SC

6             8             28           Eddie Carrier, Jr.               Salt Rock, WV

7             13           39           Tim McCreadie   Watertown, NY

8             15           15L         Darrell Lanigan   Union, KY

9             4             3s           Brian Shirley        Chatham, IL

10           7             15F         Steve Francis      Ashland, KY

11           23           0             Scott Bloomquist              Mooresburg, TN

12           11           99m       Devin Moran       Dresden, OH

13           10           28e        Dennis Erb, Jr.    Carpentersville, IL

14           12           20           Jimmy Owens     Newport, TN

15           18           25Z         Mason Zeigler    Chalk Hill, PA

16           9             21L         Ivedent Lloyd, Jr.              Ocala, FL

17           19           38           Kenny PettyJohn               Millsboro, DE

18           16           21jr        Billy Moyer, Jr.   Batesville, AR

19           24           1             Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL

20           20           5             Don O'Neal         Martinsville, IN

21           17           116        Randy Weaver    Crossville, TN

22           14           7             Donald McIntosh              Dawsonville, GA

23           22           5W         Mark Whitener   Middleburg, FL

24           21           22           Gregg Satterlee  Rochester Mills, PA