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Indianapolis, Ind. (July 29, 2011) - Josh Richards made his third career start in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) on Friday night at Lucas Oil Raceway (LOR) at Indianapolis in the AAA Insurance 200. Starting 25th the Shinnston, W. Va. native finished his first race at the 0.686-mile track 22nd following a race that logged only four cautions, the fewest ever in a truck race at the track.

The day started with two practices early on Friday in which the rookie driver placed 16th in first practice while completing the best consecutive 10-lap pace for that session. Richards finished 2nd practice P14. Richards reported a tight condition for most of the two practice sessions and qualified the Joy Tundra 25th.

Although the race began with the threat of rain on the horizon, a lap one accident between turns one and two brought out the first caution flag. The track stayed caution free until rain began falling on lap 41, when a 17-lap caution was called. Crew chief Eric Phillips called the No. 18 Joy Mining Machinery Toyota Tundra to pit road under the rain caution on lap 52 for four tires, fuel and a track bar adjustment. Richards returned to the track P18 picking up two spots following the pit stop.

Richards said the track bar adjustment somewhat improved the tight condition and the driver improved his lap times following the pit stop. The track stayed green until lap 81 when an accident occurred in turn four. Phillips chose to keep Richards on track to gain track position, when the race restarted on lap 84 Richards was P5. The track stayed green for six laps before a final caution flag was thrown on lap 91. Although still fighting a tight condition, the team again chose to stay out to gain track position, Richards on older tires than many in the field restarted 11th on lap 93. The race remained caution free for the remaining 107 laps when the checkered flag was thrown on lap 200. Richards crossed the finish line in 22nd position after being called to pit road for gas on lap 188 when he ran out of fuel and coasted to pit road.  

After the race crew chief Eric Phillips praised Richards and the effort he put into the race, “Although we didn’t get the result to show for it, Josh really did a great job Friday night. After going a lap down, Josh was running really good lap times and was in position for the “Lucky Dog” for quite a few laps.

“If we would’ve been able to get back on the lead lap, the Joy Mining Machinery Tundra was capable of a top-10 finish. Unbelievably, the race went green the final 100 laps and we were forced to come down pit road for fuel at the end of the race and lost several positions. I think this was a big confidence builder for Josh and we look forward to seeing him continue to improve when he gets back in a truck at Bristol in a few weeks.”

Richards will return to NCWTS action at Bristol Motor Speedway when the series makes its way to Thunder Valley on August 24th for the O'Reilly Auto Parts 200.