Josh Richards dominated the World of Outlaws Late Model Series race at Weedsport Speedway on Tuesday as he led all 40 laps from the pole in a caution-free feature and lapped all but four cars on his way to his 70th victory in 16 starts with the tour this season.
Richards, who is the son of Rocket Chassis founder Mark Richards, won the Finger Lakes 40 by well over a half a track and held off hard-charging Shane Clanton who came from sixth to second with several late-race passes but had no idea he was going as well as he was.
"I didn't really realize it until right at the end," Richards told the crowd. "When I saw Rick (Eckert) and (Brandon) Overton then I glanced up at the board and saw Frank (Heckenst Jr.) and I didn't see Shane (Clanton). I didn't feel we were that good but the track was beautiful … It was so slippery and they do a phenomenal job here, this is a beautiful place. I remember coming here 10 years ago as a rookie and it's really cool to come back here."
Clanton was steady as his car got better as the laps wore on. And even though he sits second and trails Richards in the series standings by 138 points, he still felt pretty good about his night in Weedsport.
"We were just trying to bide our time and pick our line so we could get by those guys. I knew I was better than them I just bided my time," Clanton said. "I knew Josh (Richards) was long gone. I just needed a caution there at the end to see if I had anything for him. Overall it was a good night to come up second. We started sixth so hopefully we carry this momentum into Lernerville and run good down there."
The surprise of the day was Illinois driver Frank Heckenast Jr., who was 18th fastest after hot laps. Heckenast Jr. got some advice from Clanton before time trials where he went out and set fast time, won his qualifying heat race and finished third in the feature.
"I'm just trying to get the ball rolling here, get some confidence going with some good runs, build the bank account up and get some confidence going for my crew guys," Heckenast Jr. said. "We were definitely a third-place car tonight. Shane (Clanton) was better than us. We just had a lot of problems getting around lapped cars, hit the inside wall and all that but I just want to thank everyone. This place is awesome. It's lit up. It's amazing! I wish we could race at facilities like this every week."
The best race in the closing laps was between the last two cars on the lead lap. Brandon Overton passed veteran Rick Eckert with only a handful of laps to go to claim fourth place.
"These lapped cars were pretty treacherous," Overton said. "I think right there at the end when I passed Rick (Eckert) I had a little bit of open track. Our car wasn't that bad I just got buried back there in the back … We'll leave here fourth, go into Lernerville and have a good weekend there."
The series now races for three straight nights at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., starting Thursday. As for our local racers, several will get Saturday off for graduation as Can Am, Fulton and Oswego are all off this week. And the Super DIRTcar Series for big block modifieds resumes Sunday night at in Canada at Cornwall Motor Speedway before heading to Albany Saratoga on Tuesday and Canandaigua one week from Thursday.
Weekend Schedule
FRIDAY
Brewerton Speedway
Events: Modifieds, sportsman, mod lites, four cylinders plus late models.
Schedule: Pit gates open at 5:30 p.m. Racing at 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Can Am Motorsports Park (LaFargeville)
Off for graduation weekend
Canandaigua Motorsports Park
Events: Modifieds, sportsman, 305 sprints, open street stocks, pure stocks plus new legends sportsman.
Schedule: Pit gates open at 4 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Racing at 7 p.m.
Fulton Speedway
Off for graduation weekend
Oswego Speedway
Off for graduation weekend
Skyline Raceway Park (Cortland)
Events: Open sportsman, 602 sportsman, IMCA Modified, street stocks, stock cars, FWD four cylinder, V6 Gut & Go plus kid's bike races.
Schedule: Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Racing at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday
Utica Rome Speedway (Vernon)
Events: Modifieds, open sportsman, 602 Sportsman, pro stock.
Schedule: Gates open at 3 p.m. Racing at 5:30 p.m.