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O'Reilly Auto Parts 200 Race Report
Josh Richards Makes First Start at Bristol Motor Speedway
Josh Richards made his first start at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday, a track known for wild races and wild rides for drivers. The 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) race was no different for the twenty-three year-old rookie. Before an estimated crowd of 53,000 including 350 Joy Mining Machinery employees and customers, Richards started 13th, his best qualifying effort in his four races this season, and finished 17th after an eventful race.
Richards was quickly introduced to the intense side-by-side racing at Bristol. On lap 32 the No. 51 Joy Mining Machinery Toyota Tundra was running 14th next to Miguel Paludo when Paludo got lose in turn one and spun Richards through turn two, as a result Richards rejoined the field 33rd, a lap down, on lap 36 after pitting for tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment.
As the race progressed Richards reported over the radio that the Joy Tundra was loose, free on exit, a condition the team had battled throughout the day’s two practice sessions as well.
During the fourth caution, on lap 63 Richards received minor rear quarter panel damage when several trucks spun on the frontstretch, the Joy Mining Machinery Toyota received the Lucky Dog and returned to the lead lap and restarted 24th.
On lap 114 the Joy Mining Machinery Toyota Tundra was involved in a final spin when the No. 39 of Ryan Sieg darted down the track and into Richards. The Joy Tundra spun but once again avoided major damage.
With 14 laps remaining the Joy Tundra was caught up momentarily in traffic when the No. 3 of Austin Dillon ran out of fuel. At the conclusion of 200 laps Richards brought the Joy Mining Machinery Tundra home in 17th position.
Crew chief, Rick Ren was pleased with Richards’ improvement and performance at Bristol. Josh showed a lot of improvement tonight, great job in his first race at Bristol.” Ren was quoted following the race. “He did a really good job during the race, he did a lot of good side by side racing with some pretty good, experienced racers in the series. Where we were really pleased was practice, every time he went back on the racetrack we saw improvement. He had a really good qualifying effort today so we saw a lot of improvement and are really pleased with the performance. We were kind of a Ping-Pong ball and got spun around a lot tonight, but all in all we saw a lot of improvement over the last three races.”
Richards said following the race, “I really enjoyed racing at Bristol (Motor Speedway) but would have liked to have had a better finish for the Joy Mining Machinery guests. I can’t wait for the opportunity to come back here.”
Richards next race in the Joy Mining Machinery Toyota Tundra will be Friday, September 2 when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the Atlanta 200.
