Josh Richards to step away from full-time racing...

[HoosierDirtFan]

Josh Richards announced today that he will step away from full-time racing



Josh Richards Racing
6m ·
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOUSTON, Ohio – Five-time National Champion Josh Richards announced today that he will step away from full-time racing to pursue other opportunities effective immediately.
“It was not an easy decision to make, but I knew it was time for a change,” explained Richards. “I’ve raced full-time since I was a teenager and I’m ready to do something different with my life.”
Though Richards may be hanging up his helmet for the foreseeable future, he hasn’t ruled out running a few select races per year.
“I don’t have the desire to race a full-schedule again,” said Richards. “But, I wouldn’t be opposed to racing for fun a few times a year if the right opportunity presented itself.”
During his illustrious career, Richards captured five National Championships. One Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Title. (2017) and Four World of Outlaws Late Model Series Championships. (2009, 2010, 2013, 2016) The 34-year-old driver is credited with over 170 Super Dirt Late Model wins across multiple racing Series, with more than 100 of those victories coming in World of Outlaws and Lucas Oil Series competition. Richards also holds the titles for All-time leader in World of Outlaws Series Fast-Time Awards and the youngest winner in World of Outlaws Late Model Series. He is also the youngest driver to win a Championship and Rookie of the Year honors in World of Outlaws Late Model Series history.
“I’ve been blessed to accomplish all that I have in my career,” said Richards. “I give all the glory to God. I want to thank my family, friends, teams, crew and sponsors for giving me an opportunity to race and be competitive. I also want to express my thanks to my family and my wife, Andrea for their love and encouragement. I want the fans to know how much I’ve appreciated their support. I have enjoyed getting to meet so many new people throughout the years and I will cherish their friendships forever.”
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[Jed]

Sad to see this but I suspect the fire burned out a long time ago. Nonetheless, he accomplished things that many can only dream of and did it with a lot of class.

[BirkyTime15B]

This is so incredibly sad. Think he’s burned out? Reminds me of when Birky had enough and walked away.

[Rajflyboy]

Give him a few years and maybe he will come back

[ImCryn2]

How dare Josh make that announcement without first informing DOD

[latemodelman]

I think Josh still lives in Houston, Ohio but I also think that mud clod hit this year made him rethink things. Will he go to work for his dad and move back to West Virginia? Whatever the case he is a great driver and stepping away is not bad he can focus on something with a retirement and maybe a family

[zyoung25]

Josh hasn't been the same racer since he left rocket1 IMO. I know he won the Lucas title the next year, but he didn't race like the Josh Richards we all used to bash for being overaggressive. If you were paying attention, you could see this day coming. I had actually heard about this about a month before the national touring season was over with.

He should be put in the HoF next year with no questions asked.

[foxfire2dirtracing]

All fingers have been pointed in the same direction since he left Rocket1.

[dirtcrazy4u]

Sorry to see this. But, the writing has been out there.

[fryefan]

Hopefully he can find a good job, that has good benefits. That will be more important later in life, than racing full-time now.

[Dlmfan123]

He’s not going to work at rocket, he moved to Ohio to be closer to his wife’s family

[t4g2]

Last I knew dad and son isn't talking since dad's divorce. An mark doesn't approve of Josh's wife. Not sure how true it is an hope the best for Josh an plenty of great jobs in the Midwest area.

[dirtcrazy4u]

^^^shame. A father raises a son in hopes he doesn't make the same mistakes he made. In life, children thru a divorce, they will gravitate toward the parent that equally share the same thoughts. Mark Richards throughout his career has been a extremely focused individual. He has built rocket, with partners, to a business that surpasses all but a few. Josh behind the wheel of the house car did exceptional. Remember, Josh left rocket, he left because of what was demanded of him. When Mark and Steve Baker decide to move on I highly doubt it will be passed on. I really can't think of any successful chassis builder that has passed the business. Work ethic, hours, most don't want to have anything to do with it.

[foxfire2dirtracing]

t4g2
You are correct. Also Josh didn’t leave because of what Mark & Steve demanded of him(as stated in above post).
Isn’t Josh’s mom now with the Doctor from Indy who was treating his arm/hand issues when he was on injured reserve?

[Raceready]

^ ^ Perhaps that is the reason that the family is now dysfunctional ? ? ^ ^

[ZERO25]

To me, Josh will always be the face of Rocket1!

[84wedge]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0VI608MSCc&ab_channel=MikeMcKinney

[84wedge]

go to 14:51 for a good question.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

go to 14:51 for a good question.

Things change. Now BShepp is the guy offering a ride on social media.

[Raceready]

go to 14:51 for a good question. As usual great content ! !Old Bloomer said " If his father pulled the plug " ; some say that the same thing actually happened to Bloomy when his dad quit bailing him out after Scotty boys divorce and some other mitigating circumstances ? ?

[foxfire2dirtracing]

Raceready
Scotty is not yet divorced!

[Raceready]

Separated or whatever . . .

[Rajflyboy]

Maybe Josh can be a preacher

[foxfire2dirtracing]

Actually: it wouldn’t surprise me to see him in the ministry field in some type capacity.

[ready2rd]

Im Hearing Josh is going to work with his father in law.

[Raceready]

It would be awesome if Josh would race some local races in Ohio on his own time whenever he felt like it. There are plenty of nice Ohio tracks such as Wayne County or Sharon where he could cut up once in a while. It would be nice for somebody to have gotten a big old Longhorn under the Christmas tree to get him started on up !

[ImCryn2]

It would be awesome if Josh would race some local races in Ohio on his own time whenever he felt like it. There are plenty of nice Ohio tracks such as Wayne County or Sharon where he could cut up once in a while. It would be nice for somebody to have gotten a big old Longhorn under the Christmas tree to get him started on up !

It appears that he has a standing offer from BShepp

"Been a privilege to race you and beside you Josh. Wishing you all the best in the future. The B5 seat will always be warm for ya when you wanna roll."

[Barbecueboy]

Classy right there…….one of the many reasons I like Bshepp. He’s got class.

[Rajflyboy]

Wow. Great offer from B Shepp

[latemodelman]

Whats Josh's Father in law do? Also if he lives in Houston, Ohio he is less than 30 minutes from Eldora.

[dirty-white-boy]

Last I knew dad and son isn't talking since dad's divorce. An mark doesn't approve of Josh's wife. Not sure how true it is an hope the best for Josh an plenty of great jobs in the Midwest area.

Didnt Richards have Jared Miley's ex wife for the Lucas Oil Banquet? Super classy! Rather than just accept Bshepp's award he rambled on like the Led Zeppelin song. The DLM must think we are all dumb hillbillies to believe Bshepp was sick....

[Raceready]

Didnt Richards have Jared Miley's ex wife for the Lucas Oil Banquet? Super classy! Rather than just accept Bshepp's award he rambled on like the Led Zeppelin song. The DLM must think we are all dumb hillbillies to believe Bshepp was sick....Had it been the " RAMBLE ON " song ? It sure looks and sounds a little fishy that a healthy young man like BShepp would surprisingly take up ill at that certian time ? ?

[foxfire2dirtracing]

I realize that the Rocket1 team is the premier team in dirt late models- just hope Hudson didn’t leave a great “no pressure “ team with Roger Sellers for the high pressure/standards of Rocket1.

[Barbecueboy]

I think huddy will have a decent year but think it will be one and done in rocket 1…..Just don’t see huddy thriving in that kind of environment.

[Pennsboro32]

Huddy will be fine. He entered DLM stardom at a young age, he’s endured pressure before being the son of hall of famer Don O’Neal. He’s too good to not be successful.

[Hoosier_Dirt]

I too think Hudson will have an "ok" year, but I dont see it going longer than a year. IMO he should've stayed in the Sellars ride.

[Barbecueboy]

I’m not saying he won’t be successful, just don’t see the personalities involved making a long term go of it……..

[bleedblue55]

Clueless experts abound

[Highside Hustler25]

Didnt Richards have Jared Miley's ex wife for the Lucas Oil Banquet? Super classy! Rather than just accept Bshepp's award he rambled on like the Led Zeppelin song. The DLM must think we are all dumb hillbillies to believe Bshepp was sick....

Well, it was doe in heat season and that can be a sickness for some here in Illinois.

[foxfire2dirtracing]

Bleedblue55
What does “clueless experts abound” mean ??

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

^^its a "I know more than you do, but I don't have to demonstrate it" type of flex. I think bleeds blue refers to spindles. We get this post in Rocket discussions.

[ImCryn2]

Didnt Richards have Jared Miley's ex wife for the Lucas Oil Banquet? Super classy! Rather than just accept Bshepp's award he rambled on like the Led Zeppelin song. The DLM must think we are all dumb hillbillies to believe Bshepp was sick....

Well BShepp did post on the ole facebook that he was sick, so there is that.

[Raceready]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0VI608MSCc&ab_channel=MikeMcKinneyA really good link from the good old days ! ! I especially enjoy the 11:15 mark where it showed that there low budget racer with that gasoline powered hauler pulling a single stack trailer . . .

[Rajflyboy]

What does Josh’s father inlaw do? I’m glad that Josh has options outside of racing. He is one of my all time favorite Late Model drivers.

[Barbecueboy]

^^its a "I know more than you do, but I don't have to demonstrate it" type of flex. I think bleeds blue refers to spindles. We get this post in Rocket discussions.

Bleedblue clearly has more of a clue than I do……my comment was based on nothing more than marks very punchable face and reported love for himself over others.

Maybe I’ll be 100% wrong here and huddy will ride rocket 1 into another orbit for many many years……this is a struggle, i like Hudson a lot and want him to do great. Just don’t see that marriage to rocket1 lasting long.

[dirtcrazy4u]

^^^^^ why ? Because you have this hatred for mark richards or rocket in general ? Tell us how you really feel ?

[Barbecueboy]

Mark gets everything he deserves……..good and bad.

That’s how really I feel about it.

Makes me smile to see them have some very stiff competition in world they have basically owned.

[Raceready]

^ ^ ^ It is talked about as to how Hoosier is guilty of domineering a tire monopoly but Nark Richards had in essence created a chassis monopoly ! He was aiming to have a 100% field of Rockets out there instead of 80% or so as at some events. Thank God for Capital, Longhorn, and a few others that are standing up to the plate to keep his cars from setting fast time and winning nearly every race as was happing in some of the series.