JOSH RICHARDS IS TUNED UP WITH VALVOLINE FOR ARCA RE/MAX SPEEDWAY DEBUT WITH VENTURINI MOTORSPORTS

Topics:  Josh Richards, Click It or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150

Emily Teeter
Venturini Motorsports
July 14, 2009

SHINNSTON, WV (July 14, 2009) – With a veteran race résumé, more visits to victory lane than any other touring dirt late model driver thus far in the 2009 season, and a podium finish in his only ARCA RE/MAX Series’ start, Josh Richards is looking forward to this weekend’s “Click It or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150”.

Richards, a twenty-one year old West Virginia native, earned a third place finish in his 2007 ARCA RE/MAX Series’ debut at the one-mile clay oval of DuQuoin (IL) State Fairgrounds but has yet to compete on a speedway. While the DuQuoin race was more familiar to his dirt late model roots, the reserved racer has received accolades because of his 2009 performances on both dirt and pavement. Richards has blossomed from the 2005 World of Outlaws’ Late Model Series’ Rookie of the Year to the reigning championship point leader with thirteen wins across the U.S. as well as a pair of Canadian victories for the 2009 season.

With a busy dirt tour that has already included fifty events, Richards still is motivated to hone his skills on pavement and has participated in testing opportunities when his schedule can accommodate. In April, with the support of mentor Ken Schrader and his loyal dirt sponsors Seubert Calf Ranches and Petroff Towing, Josh represented his native West Virginia in a diverse NASCAR Camping World East field at Greenville Pickens (SC) Speedway. His fifteen-spot advancement thrilled the crowd, earned the distinction as the “Coca Cola Move of the Race” and culminated in a fourth place finish.

Eager for a new challenge, Richards has partnered with Venturini Motorsports, a prominent name in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, to field the No. 25 Valvoline Chevy for his ARS speedway debut at Kentucky Speedway.

“I was able to test with the Venturini team earlier this month and am looking forward to reuniting with them for my first speedway race because they are a great group of individuals, have competitive equipment, and possess a lot of knowledge about these cars,” noted a thankful Richards, who still has two nights of competition with the WoOLMS in Wyoming and South Dakota before flying to Kentucky. “I am honored that a long time supporter of our dirt program and vital ingredient in our success there, Valvoline, has come onboard as the primary sponsor for this event. With Kentucky being their home state and bringing a little local flavor from our area with Gunter’s Honey, this should be an exciting time for all of us. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and will give them my best effort.”

A veteran racer himself, crew chief Billy Venturini is eager to praise the rookie, “I am really looking forward to working with Josh this weekend. He is truly an accomplished young racecar driver that I know will get the job done. Everyone at Venturini Motorsports is excited and honored to have an opportunity to work with him.”

The ARCA RE/MAX Series will visit Kentucky Speedway on Saturday, July 18, 2009, for the “Click It or Ticket Buckle-Up Kentucky 150”. For preliminary race information and event schedules, visit http://www.arcaracing.com or purchase event tickets at http://www.kentuckyspeedway.com. The cameras of SPEED will bring live racing action into your home starting at 9:30 p.m. EDT.

Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., has served motorists longer than any other domestic motor oil marketer and has been a long-standing presence in auto sports ever since their participation in the first American auto race in 1895. The innovation, quality, and commitment to performance synonymous with the Valvoline name in motorsports is available to consumers via retail lubricant products in over 100 countries or at convenient Valvoline Instant Oil Change and Express Care service centers. Visit http://www.valvoline.com to locate the nearest Valvoline Instant Oil Change or Express Care center.

Josh Richards’ Venturini Motorsports fielded #25 will be emblazoned with the familiar red and blue Valvoline logo and carry additional sponsorship from Gunter’s Honey, Petroff Towing, Seubert Calf Ranches, Ernie D’s Enterprises, ACE Metal Works, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Simpson Race Products. For additional news and information about Josh Richards, log on to http://www.joshrichards.com

Also be sure to catch the Venturini Motorsports Power Hour every Thursday at 9:00PM EST exclusively on www.RaceFanRadio.com